2006-11-26 22:07:01 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
I'm not quite sure I understand your question; but I'll give it a go.
Louis XIV said "I am the state" to the English ambassador to his court. The ambassador was making the comment that in England
It is Parliament that wields the true power of the state. Louis, of course found this idea utterly disagreeable and replied, "en ici, l'etat c'est moi." (Here, I am the state).
He actually made it as a joke; but it has come down in history as a statement of Louis' arrogance that he, and he alone, represented all power in the state.
Hope this is what you're looking for. Cheers, mate.
2006-11-26 22:15:30 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
As noted above it means "I am the State".
But it does not mean that the sovereign is above the law, it means that He IS the Law. The Royal Person embodies the whole country, and the Royal Will (assuming that the king knows what he's at) is always in the country's best interest and should be implemented and enforced at once, as fast as possible and by any means necessary. Coming from the King, nothing can be illegal, since the King's absolute power changes the law if necessary.
2006-11-26 23:56:22 · answer #2 · answered by Svartalf 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
This Site Might Help You.
RE:
meaning of L'etat c'est moi (not translation meaning please it has a def.)?
2015-08-10 08:16:46 · answer #3 · answered by Andrea 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Great point, I'm interested to know more too
2016-08-08 20:12:59 · answer #4 · answered by Joanna 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The saying and belief of Louis XIV. On this principle he acted with tolerable consistency.
2006-11-26 22:14:56 · answer #5 · answered by donttalkjustplay05 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I often end up posting the same question on other sites
2016-08-23 11:28:36 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's french for "I am the State."
It's basically the declaration of someone who believes that he is above the law.
2006-11-26 22:10:23 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋