--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If I could have picked an era to have…" description: "\"If I could have picked an era to have lived, I think I would've loved to have been one of Louis XIV's mistresses. They were so fantastic and aristocrat..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2b4/katie-mcgrath-18786_aristocratic_if-i-could-have-picked-an-era-to-have-li_2904394.jpg" --- # If I could have picked an era to have lived, I think I… ![“If I could have picked an era to have lived, I think I would've loved to have been one of Louis XIV's mistresses. They were so fantastic and aristocratic, and they had so much power. And he was such a renaissance man. I think I would've fit into that nicely.” quote by Katie McGrath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2b4/katie-mcgrath-18786_aristocratic_if-i-could-have-picked-an-era-to-have-li_2904394.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2b4/katie-mcgrath-18786_aristocratic_if-i-could-have-picked-an-era-to-have-li_2904394.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2b4/katie-mcgrath-18786_aristocratic_if-i-could-have-picked-an-era-to-have-li_2904394.jpg) > “If I could have picked an era to have lived, I think I would've loved to have been one of Louis XIV's mistresses. They were so fantastic and aristocratic, and they had so much power. And he was such a renaissance man. I think I would've fit into that nicely.” [Katie McGrath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-mcgrath/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. She romanticizes the influence and luxury of being a royal mistress in 17th‑century France. **In simple terms:** She admires the power and prestige of Louis XIV’s mistresses. Key Takeaway Consider the real constraints of such roles. Themes history power gender luxury Mood nostalgic admiring Type historical personal aspiration When to use this quote - historical drama - role‑playing games - fashion design Key Concepts court politics social mobility female agency Questions to Reflect On - Would you trade personal freedom for status? - How does power affect personal identity? A Different Perspective These positions were limited to men’s whims and could be dangerous. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Aristocratic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aristocratic/) [Era](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/era/) [Fantastic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fantastic/) [Man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/man/) [Mistresses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mistresses/) [Power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/power/) [Renaissance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/renaissance/) [Renaissance man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/renaissance-man/) ## Related quotes > [There was this one time in Vegas when I took four Victoria's Secret models and did one gram off each of their bodies within,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-sheen/there-was-this-one-time-in-vegas-when-i-took-four-victoria-s-secret/) [Charlie Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-sheen/) > [The President wants me to argue that he is as powerful a monarch as Louis XIV, only four years at a time, and is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-m-nixon/the-president-wants-me-to-argue-that-he-is-as-powerful-a-monarch-as/) [Richard M. Nixon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-m-nixon/) > [“The Louis XIII style in perfumery, composed of the elements dear to that period - orris-powder, musk, civet and myrtle-water, already known by the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joris-karl-huysmans/the-louis-xiii-style-in-perfumery-composed-of-the-elements-dear-to/) [Joris-Karl Huysmans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joris-karl-huysmans/) > [The form of government that is most suitable to the artist is no government at all. ... One might point out how the Renaissance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/the-form-of-government-that-is-most-suitable-to-the-artist-is-no/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [Earlier maps had underestimated the distances to other continents and exaggerated the outlines of individual nations. Now global dimensions could be set, with authority,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dava-sobel/earlier-maps-had-underestimated-the-distances-to-other-continents-and/) [Dava Sobel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dava-sobel/) > [Louis XIV was very frank and sincere when he said: I am the State. The modern statist is modest. He says: I am the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ludwig-von-mises/louis-xiv-was-very-frank-and-sincere-when-he-said-i-am-the-state-the/) [Ludwig von Mises](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ludwig-von-mises/) > [I'm reading "The Sunset of a Splendid Century" by W.H. Lewis. He was C.S. Lewis's brother. He wrote two books about the French court…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-dobyns/i-m-reading-the-sunset-of-a-splendid-century-by-w-h-lewis-he-was-c-s/) [Stephen Dobyns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-dobyns/) > [The only thing that one really knows about human nature is that it changes. Change is the one quality we can predicate of it.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/the-only-thing-that-one-really-knows-about-human-nature-is-that-it/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [The forest of Compiegne. Look at it. Like a kind grandmother dozing in her rocking chair. Old trees practicing curtsies in the wind because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-wilder/the-forest-of-compiegne-look-at-it-like-a-kind-grandmother-dozing-in/) [Billy Wilder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-wilder/) > [I like people who don't accept boundaries. Like Florence Nightingale. And Napoleon or Louis XIV, though I'm not sure how much I'd have liked…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-fellowes/i-like-people-who-don-t-accept-boundaries-like-florence-nightingale/) [Julian Fellowes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-fellowes/) > [“LOUIS XIV’s finance minister, Jean-Baptiste Colbert, believed that “the art of taxation consists in so plucking the goose as to obtain the largest possible…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/louis-xiv-s-finance-minister-jean-baptiste-colbert-believed-that-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“The African villager with a solar powered smartphone has more access to more information than Louis XIV in the halls of Versailles.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-russell-mead/the-african-villager-with-a-solar-powered-smartphone-has-more-access/) [Walter Russell Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-russell-mead/) > [Qu'ils mangent de la brioche. Let them eat cake. On being told that her people had no bread. Attributed to Marie-Antoinette, but remark is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-antoinette/qu-ils-mangent-de-la-brioche-let-them-eat-cake-on-being-told-that-her/) [Marie Antoinette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-antoinette/) > [Dance is very, very old. With Louis XIV at Versailles is where ballet started.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neve-campbell/dance-is-very-very-old-with-louis-xiv-at-versailles-is-where-ballet/) [Neve Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neve-campbell/) > [“The Sun King had dinner each night alone. He chose from forty dishes, served on gold and silver plate. It took a staggering 498…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-ridley/the-sun-king-had-dinner-each-night-alone-he-chose-from-forty-dishes/) [Matt Ridley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-ridley/) ## More by Katie McGrath > [I do keep getting these bad girl roles. The funny thing is that, honestly, I don't think I'm believable as these aristocratic mean girls.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-mcgrath/i-do-keep-getting-these-bad-girl-roles-the-funny-thing-is-that/) [Katie McGrath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-mcgrath/) > [I'm a very ambitious girl. I'll go wherever there is a good part.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-mcgrath/i-m-a-very-ambitious-girl-i-ll-go-wherever-there-is-a-good-part/) [Katie McGrath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-mcgrath/) > [One thing I've always thought about Morgana is that she's sort of a modern mind in a period body. She's not your usual warm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-mcgrath/one-thing-i-ve-always-thought-about-morgana-is-that-she-s-sort-of-a/) [Katie McGrath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-mcgrath/) > [I can't watch most of my work. Once I come on screen, all I can think of is 'What am I doing with my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-mcgrath/i-can-t-watch-most-of-my-work-once-i-come-on-screen-all-i-can-think/) [Katie McGrath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-mcgrath/) > [I go for really smart guys, ones who are well-read and can banter and argue. Men need to be able to take me out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-mcgrath/i-go-for-really-smart-guys-ones-who-are-well-read-and-can-banter-and/) [Katie McGrath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-mcgrath/) > [I am really terrible when it comes to guys. Inside, I just see myself as this overweight tomboy with funny-coloured hair and bad skin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-mcgrath/i-am-really-terrible-when-it-comes-to-guys-inside-i-just-see-myself/) [Katie McGrath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-mcgrath/) > [Without Merlin, there would be no Gandalf, so I see them as the same thing, one a continuation of the other.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-mcgrath/without-merlin-there-would-be-no-gandalf-so-i-see-them-as-the-same/) [Katie McGrath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-mcgrath/) > [My friend once sculpted me a bust of Admiral Ackbar from 'Star Wars.' He's my favourite character in the films after Han Solo. He's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-mcgrath/my-friend-once-sculpted-me-a-bust-of-admiral-ackbar-from-star-wars-he/) [Katie McGrath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-mcgrath/) > [I get sent lots of jewellery by fans, and that's absolutely lovely.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-mcgrath/i-get-sent-lots-of-jewellery-by-fans-and-that-s-absolutely-lovely/) [Katie McGrath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-mcgrath/) > [It's like running away to join the circus, everyone wants to do it when they're young but then you grow up and get a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-mcgrath/it-s-like-running-away-to-join-the-circus-everyone-wants-to-do-it/) [Katie McGrath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-mcgrath/) > [So I can say I used to have a waist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-mcgrath/so-i-can-say-i-used-to-have-a-waist/) [Katie McGrath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-mcgrath/) > [I spend a lot of time on eBay buying vintage. I also really like Alexander Wang, Miu Miu, Vivienne Westwood, McQueen and Balmain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-mcgrath/i-spend-a-lot-of-time-on-ebay-buying-vintage-i-also-really-like/) [Katie McGrath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-mcgrath/) > [I grew up in a small town in Ireland and didn't know any actors. I never thought it was a viable job. It wasn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-mcgrath/i-grew-up-in-a-small-town-in-ireland-and-didn-t-know-any-actors-i/) [Katie McGrath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-mcgrath/) > [I want to have a little toy version of Morgana. I can then show it to my grandchildren one day. So I can say…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-mcgrath/i-want-to-have-a-little-toy-version-of-morgana-i-can-then-show-it-to/) [Katie McGrath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-mcgrath/) > [One day I'd love a house in the country, with some chickens, dogs and kids.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-mcgrath/one-day-i-d-love-a-house-in-the-country-with-some-chickens-dogs-and/) [Katie McGrath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-mcgrath/) [Explore all 34 Katie McGrath quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-mcgrath/) ## More Aristocratic quotes > [“I have an aristocratic smile and like to punch people.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-safran-foer/i-have-an-aristocratic-smile-and-like-to-punch-people/) [Jonathan Safran Foer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-safran-foer/) > [Aristocratic depression has this cosmic dimension to it, where it's asking these big questions about, "Why?" "What is the purpose of all this?" Neuroses…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-douglas/aristocratic-depression-has-this-cosmic-dimension-to-it-where-it-s/) [Lawrence Douglas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-douglas/) > [Where there is no danger of overt action there is rarely any interference with freedom. That is why there has so often been amazing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-lippmann/where-there-is-no-danger-of-overt-action-there-is-rarely-any/) [Walter Lippmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-lippmann/) > [It will be said that the joy of mental adventure must be rare, that there are few who can appreciate it, and that ordinary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/it-will-be-said-that-the-joy-of-mental-adventure-must-be-rare-that/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [One main condition of aristocratic life was present in the South and not in the North--personal responsibility to other human beings for education and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-mcluhan/one-main-condition-of-aristocratic-life-was-present-in-the-south-and/) [Marshall McLuhan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-mcluhan/) > [“The truth was that, with the Duchess de Luxembourg, with Mme de Morienval, Mme de Saint-Euverte and any number of others, the features that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcel-proust/the-truth-was-that-with-the-duchess-de-luxembourg-with-mme-de/) [Marcel Proust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcel-proust/) > [History is the most aristocratic of all literary pursuits, because it obliges the historian to be rich as well as educated.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-adams/history-is-the-most-aristocratic-of-all-literary-pursuits-because-it/) [Henry Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-adams/) > [I do keep getting these bad girl roles. The funny thing is that, honestly, I don't think I'm believable as these aristocratic mean girls.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-mcgrath/i-do-keep-getting-these-bad-girl-roles-the-funny-thing-is-that/) [Katie McGrath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-mcgrath/) > [The old idea that the joke was not good enough for the company has been superseded by the new aristocratic idea that the company…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilbert-k-chesterton/the-old-idea-that-the-joke-was-not-good-enough-for-the-company-has/) [Gilbert K. Chesterton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-k-chesterton/) > [“He admired her for throwing off her aristocratic shackles -- his terms, that -- and making her own way in the world. He didn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-willig/he-admired-her-for-throwing-off-her-aristocratic-shackles-his-terms/) [Lauren Willig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-willig/) > [You are the only woman who has a sense of gaiety, a wise tolerance - no more, you seem to urge me to betray…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-miller/you-are-the-only-woman-who-has-a-sense-of-gaiety-a-wise-tolerance-no/) [Henry Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-miller/) > [When we consider the close connection between science and industrial development on the one hand, and between literary and aesthetic cultivation and an aristocratic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dewey/when-we-consider-the-close-connection-between-science-and-industrial/) [John Dewey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dewey/) > [Though, with the ascendancy of Louis, the political power of the nobles finally came to an end, France remained, in the whole complexion of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lytton-strachey/though-with-the-ascendancy-of-louis-the-political-power-of-the-nobles/) [Lytton Strachey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lytton-strachey/) > [In aristocratic societies, rich people used to commission exquisite paintings for their walls.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-holland/in-aristocratic-societies-rich-people-used-to-commission-exquisite/) [Brad Holland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-holland/) > [Politics of all sorts, I confess, are far beyond my limited powers of comprehension. Those of this country as far as I have been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fanny-kemble/politics-of-all-sorts-i-confess-are-far-beyond-my-limited-powers-of/) [Fanny Kemble](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fanny-kemble/) [Browse all 99 Aristocratic quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aristocratic/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "If I could have picked an era to have lived, I think I would've loved to have been one of Louis XIV's mistresses. They were so fantastic and aristocratic, and they had so much power. And he was such a renaissance man. 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