Art Quote by Michel Foucault
““Thus, seeking to produce a typology of forms of the art of government, La Mothe Le Vayer, in a text from the following century (consisting of educational writings intended for the French Dauphin), says that there are three fundamental types of government, each of which relates to a particular science or discipline: the art of self-government, connected with morality; the art of properly governing a family, which belongs to economy; and finally the science of ruling the state, which concerns politics. What matters, notwithstanding this typology, is that the art of government is always characterized by the essential continuity of one type with the other, and of second type with the third.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The History of Sexuality, Volume 1, 1976
Governance consists of three interlinked arts: self‑rule (morality), family management (economy), and state ruling (politics), each continuous with the next.
In simple terms: Three linked types of governance: personal, family, state.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the continuity between personal ethics, household economics, and political authority.
Themes
politics
ethics
economics
continuity
Mood
analytical
reflective
Type
theoretical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal development
- family counseling
- public policy
- leadership training
Key Concepts
self‑government
family governance
statecraft
Questions to Reflect On
- How do personal morals influence political decisions?
- In what ways does family economics shape state policy?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on hierarchy can ignore cultural variations.
![“Mankind has failed miserably in its effort to devise a rational system of government. [...] The art of government is the exclusive possession of quacks and frauds. It has been so since the earliest days, and it will probably remain so until the end of time.” quote by H. L. Mencken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/a3e/h-l-mencken-245_art_mankind-has-failed-miserably-in-its-effo_1593851.jpg)
