Louis XIV, with his talent, strategy, culture and martial arts, made the Kingdom of France the most powerful country in Europe at that time, made French the common language of European diplomacy and upper class society for two centuries, and made himself a The greatest monarch in French history and one of the longest-ruling monarchs in world history. A contemporary of Kangxi, the great Western emperor was respectfully known as the "Sun King" at the time.

Mrs. Morteville, the court lady, commented that in terms of fairness, kindness, generosity, self-control, and strictness, all the kings of the present and past dynasties could not catch up with Louis XIV. The French aristocratic scholar Count Saint-Simon believed that Louis' temperament was gentle and cautious, and his actions and words were extremely controlled. Critics, including Voltaire, attributed Louis XIV's mistakes in his later years to arrogance and believed that his preference for power and glory led to poverty and disaster in French society. Duclos said: "Many citizens did not even think it was worth insulting him when his coffin passed by."

The contemporary German Protestant philosopher Leibniz commented on him: "The most beautiful person in history. One of the great kings”. Later writer Goethe praised: "He is a perfect example of the emperor created by nature, but in doing so, he exhausted himself and destroyed the mold."

Napoleon, who opposed the Bourbon dynasty, praised: "Louis XIV was a great king. It was he who created France's first-class status in the world. No king since Charlemagne can do so." "Compared with him?" (implying that only he can be compared with Charlemagne and Louis XIV)

The 19th-century British historian Lord Acton believed that he was the most capable of modern kings. One person. In the end, even Voltaire praised his rule as an "era that is always worth remembering" (a great era). Among the kings of France, the Sun King Louis XIV is undoubtedly the most famous one. As a model of absolute monarchy in Europe, his name represents a dynasty, an era, and a system. (Louis XIV is only 1/4 French, his grandmother Marie Medici is Italian, and his mother Austria Anna is Spanish, so we can see in him the elegance and artistry of Italy, the piety and pride of Spain, The romance and passion of France)

Louis XIV made great achievements in his life, but also made many mistakes. How should we view this king? The German writer Goethe has a famous saying, "A person's sins are generally affected by the era in which he lives, but his virtue is his own." This sentence can be said to be very suitable for Louis XIV. .

As king, Louis XIV reigned for 72 years, the longest in Europe, and ruled for 54 years. Time has determined that this will not be a mediocre dynasty. Louis XIV not only unified the land and subjects of France, but also unified the government and policies. Before him, there had never been a king in Europe who could have such strong control. It was Louis XIV who built France into a unified country in the modern sense. , unify the nation. Throughout the Louis XIV dynasty, France cultivated and absorbed countless geniuses in various disciplines, built magnificent palaces, established a powerful army, and shocked and inspired the human world for half a century.

Louis XIV believed that his greatest achievement was the expansion of territory. He conquered many territories for France. Of course, Napoleon conquered more, but failed to retain it. The prototype of today's French territory was here Formed in the era of Louis XIV.

In addition to external expansion, Louis XIV can also be said to have made outstanding achievements domestically. In 1667, Louis XIV promulgated the "Louis Code" as the fundamental law of the country, regulating the rights of the king and the common people. and obligations, this code was the most perfect law at the time, and its vitality even surpassed that of the Bourbon dynasty itself. It was used until after the French Revolution before being replaced by the Napoleonic Code. Louis XIV emphasized rules throughout his life. He strictly stipulated the rights and obligations of all classes. After his pro-government, there was no aristocratic rebellion in France.

The king does not allow anyone below to bully the superior, and he also does not allow anyone above to bully the subordinates and misbehave. In 1665, the king appointed an imperial envoy to investigate the behavior of nobles in remote areas, and publicly executed a count from the fish and meat country. As a result, the entire French aristocracy was shocked.

Louis XIV was a strict and wise leader at the court. For more than half a century, the king was always hands-on and diligent in governing the country, and never slacked off in the slightest. The king worked six days a week. Although Sunday was a rest day for the palace, he would also convene a court meeting to listen to reports from ministers. If he was ill in bed, the king would hold a meeting in his bedroom. The whole of France knew how diligent the king was.

Louis XIV was willing to listen to the opinions of others. Although the Sun King was theoretically a dictator, throughout his life, every decision Louis XIV made was made after careful consideration and listening to a lot of opinions. Judgment after opinion.

He was always polite to ministers and gave them full trust. In the early years, Louis XIV once said to his ministers, please keep telling me your inner opinions. If I do not accept your suggestions, please do not be discouraged. This made Louis XIV the most well-informed person at court. Louis XIV always knew the government very well, and he never knew less or even more than his ministers.

Louis XIV pays attention to everything, including the army, navy, court, housework, finance, religion, drama, literature, art... In addition to being willing to listen to opinions, Louis XIV is also very strict with his subordinates. Ministers are not allowed to make any decisions privately. Every word and deed of ministers is strictly supervised, rewards and punishments are clearly defined, and no one is protected. Although ministers share most of the trivial work, the country's main policies in all aspects must be controlled by The king himself decreed that Louis XIV was the king of the country at all times.

In 1664, the Dutch ambassador to France once wrote that it is unbelievable how quickly, clearly, decisively and wisely the young king of France handles official affairs. He treats others with a pleasant attitude. No king in Europe could match him in listening to the opinions of others with great patience.

Louis XIV was also a symbol of justice and strictness in the court. Louis XIV valued family ties very much. He was a filial son. When his mother was alive, he would go to pay her respects sooner or later. He was also a kind brother, a loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Everything Louis XIV said and did was regarded as a model for the court, and the entire court respected and obeyed the king from the bottom of their hearts.

Throughout the first half of the history of the Bourbon dynasty, the palace was almost always a mess, full of intrigue, cunning, darkness and secret fighting. This was largely due to the conflicts between the first two kings, Henry IV and Louis. Thirteen shortcomings in character and behavior. But Louis XIV simplified the palace, and everyone centered on the king. It truly became the king's home, full of family atmosphere. Louis XIV treated everyone in the palace as the master of the family. A member with every guest who came to the court.

Religiously, Louis XIV was a devout Catholic. He personally hated Protestantism, but he also clearly saw that the reason why Protestantism existed was because there was something wrong with the Catholic Church itself. Since Louis XIV took office, he has strictly rectified the church, even going against the Pope. During this period, the French Catholic Church took on a completely new look, and Catholicism regained its prestige in society. All foreign religious people are forced to admit that the French Catholic Church is superior to any other country in discipline and morals. However, it was precisely because Louis XIV spent a lot of effort on religion that he ultimately could not forgive the hundreds of thousands of stubborn Huguenots in the country.

Later generations judged that Louis XIV’s greatest achievement was the promotion of culture. Indeed, since Augustus the Great in the Roman Empire, no dynasty in Europe has had so many great figures as in the era of Louis XIV. Writers, painters, sculptors, and architects, and their etiquette, fashion, ideas, and art were envied and imitated by other countries. The whole of Europe regarded Paris and Versailles as the centers of European culture and cultivation.

The image of Louis XIV wearing a wig, high heels, and gorgeous clothes became the standard for aristocratic dress at that time. France has undoubtedly become the leader of European culture. This advantage lasted until the Napoleonic era. It was Louis XIV who showed the splendor and splendor of France to the world.

Such a king was once regarded as a mortal god by his subjects. As King Louis XIV, he was almost perfect.

But in his later years the country almost collapsed. The Louis XIV dynasty began with glorious military victories, splendid culture, and dazzling Baroque splendor, but ended with the decline of art and literature, the poverty and exhaustion of the people, and the frustration and humiliation of the country. What exactly led to the rise and fall of the Bourbon dynasty in the Kingdom of France? What role did Louis XIV play in this?

Except for his position as king, Louis XIV as an individual is still a figure worthy of respect. In terms of personal quality, Louis XIV is better than his grandfather and father. He is not like Henry IV. So dissolute, but not as withdrawn as Louis XIII. Louis XIV was strict with himself and lenient towards others throughout his life. Everyone who saw him had to admit that he was a well-deserved benchmark in etiquette. In terms of dealing with individuals, Louis XIV was accustomed to using his own grace rather than his royal power. Relatives, friends and courtiers respected the monarch from the bottom of their hearts, not just because he was the king.

Louis XIV acted and acted righteously throughout his life. In the eyes of people, he was an absolute king, and he had a royal demeanor in every word and deed. He fulfilled his obligations to his relatives, friends, ministers and envoys. In the court he was a generous rewarder, a merciful punisher, and a just judge. Even though his status as a king sometimes made him seem a little cold and arrogant, he once said to his son, the eldest prince, that a certain degree of severity is also charity for his people. Blind lenience will only bring more evil. Once the king If you appear weak, authority will collapse, and it will be the lower classes who suffer. (Louis XVI of later generations made this mistake)

Mrs. de Morteville, the court lady, once commented that all the kings of the present and past could not catch up with him in terms of fairness, kindness, generosity, self-control, and strictness. . The French aristocratic scholar Count Saint-Simon believed that his temperament was gentle and cautious, and his actions and words were extremely controlled. Here are a few short stories that reflect the greatness of Louis XIV's personality.

Once the palace was celebrating a victory in a frontline war, the king made an exception and invited many mid-level officers to a celebration banquet. At the banquet, an officer was ridiculed by the young princess, the Duchess of Burgundy, because of his ugly appearance. The officer was so embarrassed that he had to excuse himself to the king to leave the meeting early. After Louis XIV knew the whole story, he immediately walked to the group of female relatives and said loudly to all the ladies, including the Duchess of Burgundy, Madams, I think this officer is the most handsome man here. , because he is the bravest soldier in the Palace of Versailles!

Another time, an officer who lost a hand in the war and was left disabled for life complained that the retirement consolation payment given by the country was too small. After hearing this, the king immediately conducted an investigation and confirmed the officer's meritorious service. , immediately ordered his servants to send a double consolation payment. The officer came to Versailles in person and said gratefully, I would lose my other hand for Your Majesty. The king said jokingly, "Then I will prepare more consolation money."

The most famous one was when the young prince, the Duke of Burgundy, and his family were attacked by the disease, and eventually the family was destroyed, and Louis XIV fell into great grief, a vicious rumor began to spread rapidly. The finger points at the king's nephew Philippe, Prince of Orleans. Rumor has it that this perverse prince used voodoo in his chemical laboratory to curse all the king's descendants so that this prince could ascend to the throne. Soon the rumors spread throughout the city, and the Prince of Orleans fell on his knees before his uncle and begged the king to grant him a fair and open trial.

But the king helped his nephew up and said: My child, I have never believed that there is any voodoo magic in the world. If there were, I, the old king, would have been cursed to death long ago. Louis XIV knew that although his nephew was bohemian and eccentric, he was by no means a careerist, let alone a despicable person who would use dirty tricks. The king expressed his belief in the innocence of Prince Orleans in a high-profile public forum, and the serious statement will severely punish those who spread rumors and cause trouble. Soon the rumors collapsed and died down. The Prince of Orleans burst into tears of gratitude and devoted himself to assisting the young new king Louis XV after the death of Louis XIV, thus repaying his uncle's justice. (This is where Louis XIV is greater than Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty) But no one is perfect, and Louis XIV also has his own shortcomings.

His mind was not as good as his demeanor. Later generations commented that Louis XIV's intelligence was not as good as Caesar's, his vision was not as good as Augustus's, and he only had excellent qualities. Montesquieu believed that the king's heart was greater than his mind.

The young Louis XIV did not receive enough education because of the turmoil in the country. For many domestic and foreign things, Louis XIV only knew one thing but not the other. In the early years of his reign, personal attention and willpower, as well as the assistance of outstanding ministers and generals, compensated to a certain extent for the king's lack of intelligence. But when these factors were worn away by his long reign, the Sun King's weaknesses were exposed. His early achievements and the flattery around him made Louis XIV complacent. He was as vain as an actor and as proud as a statue. Prudence and moderation were gradually replaced by paranoia and ambition.

If Louis XIV understood the nature of the Dutch, he would not have been so aggressive when the Netherlands was almost surrendering, so as to arouse the patriotic passion of the sea coachmen.

If Louis XIV understood the importance of the Huguenots in the French economy like Colbert did, he might not have been so eager to repeal the Edict of Nantes, which caused heavy losses to French industry and commerce.

If Louis XIV understood the British national system, he would not have been so active in supporting James II after the Glorious Revolution broke out, to the point of offending all Britons. In fact, the British at that time did not want to be enemies of France at all, and they did not like William III from the Netherlands, simply because they hated James II more. But Louis XIV only saw his mortal enemy William III wearing the crown of Britain, so the Sun King naively believed that Britain was already his enemy. Little did he know that it was his actions in supporting his cousin's restoration that contributed to the British ’s final participation in the war.

Many people, including Voltaire, attributed Louis XIV’s mistakes in his later years to arrogance and arrogance, but we should see that: essentially, Louis XIV was not an arrogant person. His mistakes in behavior were not so much due to his character as to his lack of knowledge. He did not know that his actions had deeply hurt all neighboring countries, and he did not know that what he did was seen by foreigners as unreasonable and arrogant. On the other hand, many things were beyond the control of Louis XIV. Although Richelieu hoped to ally with the Netherlands against the British, by 1672 it was inevitable that France would attack the Netherlands. Another king would have made the same decision. (It can even be said that Richelieu would have attacked the Netherlands instead)

The abolition of the "Edict of Nantes" in 1685 was also the general trend. In fact, most French people did not feel that the king had done anything wrong at the time. It was only after the side effects were gradually exposed that I realized in hindsight that Louis XIV was wrong.

Provoking a succession war for the Spanish throne in 1701 was also not Louis XIV's subjective hope. For him, he had to take over the Spanish throne if he did not take over. If he did, it would definitely be a war. That's why he told the people around him, no matter what decision I make, I will be blamed.

The tragedy of Louis XIV is that he lived too long and had too much power in his hands, so that the flaws in his great personality were magnified by the boundless power and long rule in his hands.

As a person Louis XIV was almost perfect, and Goethe praised him as a perfect example of the emperor created by nature. Napoleon commented that Louis XIV was a great king who created France's first-class status in the world. Which king since Charlemagne can compare with him? The contemporary British historian Lord Acton believed that he was the most capable of modern kings.

The failure of Louis XIV was not his personal failure, but the failure of the absolute monarchy. Louis XIV's own life has shown the world how, under the absolute monarchy, the sins of the king can be dealt with. With the power amplified, Louis XIV was the supreme leader of the country, the only legislator, the supreme administrator in the government, the supreme commander of the army, the supreme supervisor, and the actual supreme leader of religion.

(The French Church is only nominally subordinate to the Pope. In fact, the King of France is the actual leader)

All the highest power in the country is in the hands of one person (Louis XIV is equivalent to serving as president, prime minister, and the three armed forces) Commander-in-Chief, Supreme Judge, Supreme Prosecutor, Religious Director), any slight mistake can have tragic consequences.

Louis XIV has done the best. He gave France a unified country and government, and achieved unquestionable leadership in culture. At the same time, destructive wars were waged, lavish spending on buildings and luxury, indulging in personal pride, stifling philosophical development, and impoverishing the people.

Here we reiterate Goethe's famous saying that a person's sins are generally affected by the times in which he lives, but his virtues are his own. Louis XIV did make many mistakes, but it was not so much his personal result as the inevitable result of that era and that system. France, which is still under the glory of the Sun King today, has learned to forgive the fact that he almost destroyed France in order to make France great, because the Sun King himself has become the representative and symbol of France's supreme era...