"When Religion and Royalty are swept away, the people will attack the great, and after the great, they will fall upon the rich"

In this quote, Honore de Balzac is suggesting that when the standard organizations of faith and monarchy are eliminated, individuals will turn their attention towards those in positions of power and authority. He anticipates that the masses will first target the "fantastic" individuals, likely referring to those who hold high positions in society or government. Once they have actually been toppled, the people will then direct their anger towards the rich, who might have taken advantage of the previous systems of religious beliefs and royalty. Balzac is highlighting the potential for social turmoil and the redistribution of power and wealth when traditional structures are dismantled.