Il m'a trop bien servi; Augmentant mon pouvoir, il me l'a tout ravi: II n'est plus mon sujet qu'autant qu'il le veut etre. Et qui me fait regner en effet est mon maitre.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- He served me well; increasing my power, he took it all away: he is no longer my subject as long as he wishes to be. And the one who makes me rule in fact is my master.
- In plain terms
- A servant gains power and then becomes the true master.
- What can you take from it?
- Power can invert relationships.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- When does a servant become a master?
- How does power shift affect loyalty?
Another view
The paradox may overlook mutual benefit.
More from Pierre Corneille
Seigneur, si j'ai raison, qu'importe a qui je sois?
Permalink to quote #61 C'est un crime d'Etat que d'en pouvoir commettre.
Permalink to quote #63 Et ne savez-vous plus qu'il n'est princes ni rois Qu'elle daigne egaler a ses moindres bourgeois?
Permalink to quote #60
Related quotes
In the first place, I put for a general inclination of all mankind a perpetual and restless desire of power after power, that ceaseth only in death. And the ca…
Thomas HobbesThomas Hobbes quote #18 As to the presidency, the two happiest days of my life were those of my entrance upon the office and my surrender of it.
Martin Van BurenMartin Van Buren quote #3 Hitler was basically an artist.
Albert SpeerAlbert Speer quote #5