But there is not a single person employed in any way at…
““But there is not a single person employed in any way at the court, in Paris, or in the provinces, who is not acquainted with some woman through whose hands pass all the favours and sometimes all the wrongs which he may wish done. These women are all in each other’s secrets, and form a sort of republic, the members of which are always busy aiding and serving each other; it is like a state within a state; and anyone at court, in Paris, or in the provinces who sees the activity of the ministers, the magistrates, and the prelates, if he does not know the women who govern them, is like a man who sees a machine at work, but who is ignorant of the springs that move it.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Power is often exercised through informal networks of women who influence officials, forming a hidden parallel system that drives decisions.
In simple terms: Women’s influence shapes politics behind the scenes.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and address hidden power structures.
Themes
politics
gender
influence
power
networks
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
historical
political
sociological
When to use this quote
- court intrigue
- bureaucratic decision making
- social gatherings
- political lobbying
Key Concepts
informal authority
social capital
patronage
Questions to Reflect On
- How do hidden networks affect accountability?
- What mechanisms can reveal unseen influences?
A Different Perspective
The quote may overstate women's agency and ignore male actors in the same networks.