Honoré de Balzac (1799-1850) in La Maison Nucigen :: “A great politician must be an abstract scoundrel, otherwise societies are poorly managed.”

Honoré de Balzac (1799-1850) is a towering figure in French literature, central to the 19th-century literary movement known as Realism. His magnum opus, “La Comédie Humaine,” is a sprawling series that paints a detailed, panoramic view of French society and life in the post-Napoleonic era. Through characters that reappear in different volumes, Balzac sought to depict the social fabric of his time in its entirety. His writing is marked by an intricate understanding of human nature, a meticulous eye for detail, and a profound sense of empathy for his characters. Balzac’s influence extends beyond literature into sociology and economics, thanks to his keen observations on social behavior and class dynamics.

Balzac’s life was as colorful as his novels. He was known for his intense writing sessions, financial speculations, and a complicated love life, including a long-standing correspondence and eventual marriage to the Polish countess Ewelina Hańska. His work ethic was legendary; he often worked for 14-16 hours a day, fueled by copious amounts of coffee. Despite facing financial difficulties throughout his life, Balzac remained dedicated to his craft, leaving behind a body of work that profoundly impacted French literature and realism.

“La Maison Nucingen” is part of “La Comédie Humaine” and focuses on the financial and banking sectors of Paris. It provides a critical view of the speculative bubble of the July Monarchy period, showcasing Balzac’s grasp of economic principles and his criticism of greed and corruption in the banking world. Through its narrative, Balzac explores themes of morality, deception, and the human cost of wealth and power, making it a relevant critique of capitalist society.

The quote, “Un grand politique doit être un scélérat abstrait, sans quoi les sociétés sont mal menées.” translates to “A great politician must be an abstract scoundrel, otherwise societies are poorly led.” This reflects Balzac’s cynical view on politics and leadership, suggesting that to govern effectively, a leader must be willing to engage in morally questionable actions for the greater good of society.

Linguistic Analysis
Here’s a breakdown of the quote into its parts of speech, comparing the French original with its American English translation:

French Part of Speech English Part of Speech
Un Article A Article
grand Adjective great Adjective
politique Noun politician Noun
doit Verb must Modal verb
être Verb be Verb
un Article an Article
scélérat Noun scoundrel Noun
abstrait Adjective abstract Adjective
sans quoi Conjunction otherwise Conjunction
les Article the Article
sociétés Noun societies Noun
sont Verb are Verb
mal Adverb poorly Adverb
menées Verb (past participle) led Verb (past participle)

Metaphorical Explanation
The essence of this quote can be likened to the idea that navigating the complexities of society’s governance is akin to a captain steering a ship through stormy seas. The captain, or the politician in this context, might have to resort to unconventional or morally ambiguous maneuvers to ensure the safety and progress of the ship, or society. The “abstract scoundrel” metaphor suggests that a leader must possess the capability to detach from conventional morality to make decisions that, while potentially contentious, are aimed at the greater welfare of the society.
Parts of Speech
French Word English Translation Part of Speech Explanation
Un A Article Indefinite article, introduces the noun.
grand great Adjective Describes the noun, indicating the magnitude.
politique politician Noun Subject of the sentence, referring to a political figure.
doit must Modal Verb Indicates necessity or obligation.
être be Verb Linking verb connecting the subject to its complement.
un an Article Indefinite article, introduces the noun.
scélérat villain Noun The complement, describing the type of politician.
abstrait abstract Adjective Describes the noun ‘scélérat’, indicating non-specificity.
sans quoi otherwise Conjunction Introduces a condition for comparison.
les the Article Definite article, introduces the noun.
sociétés societies Noun Object of the sentence, the entities being managed.
sont are Verb Linking verb for the predicate adjective.
mal poorly Adverb Modifies the verb, indicating the manner of management.
menées managed Verb (Past Participle) Describes the state or result of the societies.
Metaphorical Explanation
The quote metaphorically suggests that the art of governance, akin to navigating a treacherous sea, requires a captain who is not only skilled but also capable of making morally ambiguous decisions. Just as a captain might navigate through storms with resolve and sometimes harsh actions to ensure the safety of the ship, a politician, according to Balzac, must also be willing to embrace the darker aspects of pragmatism to steer society effectively. The abstract villainy is not a call for malevolence but a recognition of the complex moral landscape that leaders must navigate to maintain societal order and progress.