The French want no-one to be their superior. The English want inferiors. The Frenchman constantly raises his eyes above him with anxiety. The Englishman lowers his beneath him with satisfaction.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- The French dislike having superiors, while the English prefer subordinates; the French look up anxiously, the English look down contentedly.
- In plain terms
- French seek autonomy, English accept hierarchy.
- What can you take from it?
- Cultural attitudes toward authority differ between nations.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Do these traits hold today?
- How do they affect diplomatic interactions?
Another view
Generalizations may overlook internal diversity.
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