Silence – Learning from Louis XIV

Louis XIV was the King of France from 14 May 1643 until his death in 1715. He was known as Louis the Great (Louis le Grand) or the the Sun King (le Roi Soleil). During his reign as the King, his court, full of nobles and ministers, could spend days and nights discussing issues that matter to the state. They would argue, debate, create and tear alliances, and argue again until they finally reach a conclusion.

After they reach that critical moments, they will choose among themselves 2 representatives that will bring the different sides of the discussion to Louis himself. After the persons were decided, they will argue some more; how they will approach Louis? how will they phrase themselves? What would appeal more to Louis, what would annoy him? Even the matter, which part of the Versailles palace would they then approach him?

Finally, after all is settled and the moment they decided arrive, the two representatives would approach Louis. When they finally have his ear, they would always keep in mind how they act and what they say. The two persons would then spill out the detail of the issue at hand. Louis would only listen in silence, and one could only assume what his thoughts were as he would have the most enigmatic look on his face.

After, each had finished with their talks and then asked for the king’s opinion, he would look at them and answered, “I shall see”. Weeks would pass, and the courtiers and ministers would never hear another word from the king. They would simply see the results, weeks later, when he would come to a decision and act, never bother to consult then on the matter again.

Louis XIV was a man of few words. His infamous “I shall see” was one of few extremely short answers that he would apply to all different manner of requests. Louis was not always been this way however, during his youth, he would enjoy long conversation and delighted at seeking rhetoric and discussions. It is something that he would later impose on himself.

It was a mask, and act of sort, to deceive those below him and to keep them off balance. No one could try to deceive him, because simply no one knew what he was thinking. And as they talked more and more about themselves, Louis would only listen in silence. The information they would blabbered about themselves to Louis, is the information that he would later use against them to great effects.