A courtier is an aristocrat that serves directly under the ruler of the area. They answer only to them and their decisions are what the leader follows. Being a courtier though is completely different from playing the part of one which, according to the book, is being able to assert power with any kind of ruler from a kindly one to the most tyrannous, in the most graceful manner. They are well-versed in the arts of flattery and passive criticism, able to woe and court the most difficult leader; knows how to keep a low profile, show how effortless any work is while still be able to gain the praises of the one they serve, be noticed and still be distant to the their patrons. A master of their emotions, they can conform to any kind of situation; both the source of pleasure and the bearer of bad news.
*Book Examples
The courtiers of the Han dynasty indirectly gave advice on the many wrongs of the emperor through anomalies in their records. Jules Mansart became King Louis XIV favorite architect by making the king out to be better than him whenever possible. Alexander the great killed a philosopher who studied under Aristotle because he spoke his mind too much. George Brummell lost the favor of the Prince of Wales and died poor and alone because he couldn’t keep his tongue in check
*Question
This might have applied to the times before but right now, do any of you think it still applies and is still useful? In the Filipino context, culture and morals, can one find a place for these courtiers?
Sendro Lorenzo D. Regala
Hi18 K 48 Laws of Power
31 comments:
Courtiers, or in other words: alalay, sunud-sunuran, taga-hanga, mga sipsip or Tupperware (plastics) or whatever you wanna call them continue to thrive today. I think that these people and the “rules” or cause and effects that normally come with being a courtier will forever stay in existence as long as power does. You see social climbers following around mega rich folk from country clubs to the mall, businessmen showering gifts and favors on politicians and vice versa, 12 year old Lady Macbeths preying on their daddies or grandmas, etc etc. Ultimately, although some of the things done by courtiers to gain power are degrading or despicable, you cannot deny their usefulness – their place in our world.
monica ang, L
i think the Filipinos are the universal courtiers -- in the same manner our hospitality enables us to welcome people, we are able to adapt well enough to serve other cultures as well -- we are able to become great assistants and we are naturally able to handle service -- we find joy in humble jobs, etc. we are also subversive and we do have the tendency to control from behind the throne, so to speak.
i also think that perfect courtiers are always only courtiers -- they never rise above serving others. they may control power but sooner or later, their masters are going to take that power right back. far from being indispensable, courting the master is always a game and there are always better players.
kyra ballesteros Hi18K
answer to Kyra's post:
we may be the universal courtiers, true, with the way we treat people in general, but i dont agree with what you waid in your second paragraph on how courtiers are just courtiers. it is exactly why people who lose their power and who have people better than them in playing this game aren't the "perfect courtiers". the perfect courtier is the one who can keep their power without being noticed that they have that much control over the majority of the rulers actions. it is the deceptiveness and the cunning that makes one the perfect courtier and if one gets caught or loses their power along the way then they have not played the game well enough. there will always be better players but it is thattrait of "the one" being so cunning whichmakes them so indispensible, which lets them hold their power for as long as they want.
Joey Regala, K
@ Monica:
Are courtiers really the "alalay" and "sunud-sunuran?"
I don't think they are, necessarily, although some may appear to be.
Let's say there are two people: A and B. A wants to destroy the world but B tactfully dissuades A from doing so. B became a courtier, but then I don't think we can consider B as a "slave." Just someone who knows how to deal with people well.
The entry says that the perfect courtier can show how effortless any work is while still be able to gain the praises of the one they serve. I just can't visualize a sunud-sunuran to have that trait.
I agree with Joey in that the "perfect courtier" is someone who's indispensable and this indispensability equals to them keeping their powers. The perfect courtiers are kinda like puppet masters, but the puppets don't know that they are the puppets. For as long as they're the puppet masters, they are the perfect courtiers.
theresa rosario tan
hi18k
The movie Moulin Rouge popped into my head when I read the title of this law. Maybe it's the courtesan and courtier part. But that's what Satine was out to do in the first place... convince the Duke to invest in the Moulin Rouge by sleeping with him. In a way, that's still buttering him up.
I agree with Kyra though how courtiers will only stay courtiers. Sure they'll rise up the ranks but they'll never be on top completely. I think it's because they don't have a following. They just make everyone feel more powerful than they really are. I don't really see how they can overthrow the person in power.
Ocampo 18-K
I think the term courtier could sometimes be labeled through negative connotations. We should not forget the fact that not all courtiers are sipsip. Rather they are viewed upon and regarded as loyal and believe in certain goals.
Courtiers too hold extreme amounts of power over others and could be seen as the powerhouse of leaders.
Filipinos, as said by Kyra, are universal courtiers. We find pleasure in serving other for a greater purpose. I dont believe in the idea that all courtiers are "evil".
Hi- L Richard Hahn
When I hear courtier, part of me thinks of the sniveling, rat faced adviser of the sick king. Like Jafar from Disney's Aladdin, or Wormtongue from Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. Before they were shown for what they really were, they knew how to deal with their superiors; how to walk around them constantly without stepping on their toes, without annoying them, without going overboard.
I honestly think that to be a politician in this country, you have to be a courtier. You have to know how to stroke other people's egos in order to either 1) keep your position 2) rise from your position or 3) stay alive.
Ria Rigoroso
Hi 18 - K
I agree with Ria that in order to be a politician in this country, one must be a courtier. This is why they have risen to power and continue to rule over us today. We should, however, learn from this and Filipino politicians should learn how to survive in a different way.
I don't agree that one must play the perfect courtier in order to become a great leader. One must serve the people first and foremost, not someone else.
Gia Fortun
Hi18 - K
The Philippine politics houses tons of courtiers, from the most sipsip to the most balimbing. A lot of politicians in our government have succumbed to be under the power and 'guidance' of the big bosses, in order to on their good side. They become the supporters of these big bosses so that in the next election, they'd be the ones to be supported. Under their seemingly innocent demeanor, a lot of politicians have a hidden agenda planted inside their heads; such that leads to the masses complaining why they have been trusted in the first place.
Gliza Marasigan
Hi18-L
Being second fiddle to the big cheese sometimes implies a lot more power than it seems. The adviser, though sometimes the information is amalgamated from a variety of other just-as-lowly advisers, is able to express his/her influence to the one who is seemingly the executive power.
Who really does have it? If you really think about it, does the ONE boss completely rely on his own capabilities to rule? Definitely not. Enter the second fiddle to enrich the former's melody. Solitary leadership changes completely thanks to the guy underneath.
Joey Palma
Hi18-K
I agree with Kyra, Filipinos are the universal courtiers. Though Kyra said the positive aspects of being courtiers (hospitality, able to do and enjoy humble jobs, etc.) I think this is also a reason why we’re so far behind the other countries.
And how Bea pointed it out, courtiers will only stay courtiers. I don’t mean to sound cynical but where can one go when he always just follows someone around? Being behind someone influential can give us benefits but never can it give that that much power to surpass the authority he is under.
Mara Liboro
Hi18-K
To answer Sendros' question, there's a place for courtiers anywhere. People naturally group themselves into little heirarchies, no matter what culture they live in. There's the teacher's pet, the barkada's second in command, the best friend to a dominant personality. Some people are naturally strong and assertive. Some people naturally follow those people. And still some people want to be strong and assertive but for somehow missed out on the top spot. Being a courtier is protecting yourself by assuming the most non-threatening position of below the leader but above the subjects.
Du, L
I would like to think that a courtier is simply someone who's sipsip and plays on the good side of his superior. But when you take a closer look at it, it's a perfect way to learn how to deceive, which in effect, makes you leader material. It just depends on whether or not you are willing to go the extra mile to make that happen.
About Filipinos being universal courtiers: I kind of agree with you. And it kind of pisses me off that we're always on the good side of the U.S. simply because they're stronger and more powerful than us. We let them conquer pieces of our land for "commercialism", mining, golf courses, and even defend them against the revolt caused by our local residents. But what do we get in return? Surplus modes of transportations, faster process of getting a green card---for what? To make it a lot faster for us Filipinos to forsake our own roots?
Chua Rojas, Serica
Hi18 - L
I remember wanting Ping Lacson as our President because anyone who would oppose him will be killed. What we need is an iron fist just like Singapore. It may not be very... just and right but when will we learn? He hides it well and really woes everyone with how he can defend himself.
I'm not sure if my views changed. I just want a leader that can make change not just through words but actions that if not followed the necessary means should be taken into action. hahahaha
Raf Sobrepena Hi - K
I agree with Serica on the fact that being "sipsip" or in this law's case, a courtier can provide countless opportunities to learn and advance one's self.
However, I do believe that this is a tactic not to be used too much, as if one relies on it heavily then sooner or later he/she will be led to obscurity.
Alan Ortiz
HI 18 K
Reading this entry made me think of Eunuchs. They are men who serve the Emperor or the ruler. Eunuchs are castrated to ensure that the emperor's consorts will never be impregnated by them. Just as you have defined courtiers, eunuchs follow the emperor, serve him with grace, and at times help him in his decision-making. They had access to rooms, and they knew secrets which could destroy the reputations of the Emperor, his highest officers, and his other subjects living within the area. The eunuchs had a significant role in a rebellion in China known as the An Lushan Rebellion. They had gained a lot of influence for they knew things which could be used for blackmail. An Lushan, for whom the rebellion was named after, was a Tang general who was murdered by a eunuch and his eldest son. This is a clear manifestation that eunuchs, though they seem like people we should take pity upon, are more powerful than we presume them to be.
Eunuchs are very similar to courtiers. Both may seem like the obedient servant, but watch your back as they may strike when you least expect it.
Monica Copuyoc
Hi18 - L
it does say something about our culture and our morals- keeping your mouth shut when you don't have anything good to say.
we don't necessarily need to lie in order to say something good, i'm pretty sure anyone has done something worth praising for once in his or her life.
Cristal Rodriguez
Hi8-L
When you say courtier, I immediately thought of Iago from Othello.
I think that even in today's culture, there are still spots for Iagos.
The past is not much different from the present. We all have this need for glory- to be praised. To have people feed our sense of self-esteem. That thing, I think, is universal (Maslow's hierarchy of needs *wink* *wink*).
I agree as well with what Alan and Serica said about the advantages of being a courtier. It gives the courtier an opportunity to control the options without seeming in control. And again, as was mentioned in Law13, that is power.
-Marion Causing, Hi18-K
I agree with Kyra that courtiers never really rise in power they just "feel" empowered but were never really promoted ranks. To be the perfect courtier you must know how to manipulate their ruler's mind without the ruler noticing that the courtier is the one in control. TRUST and the POWER of your words are very important for this law to become very effective. :)
Clarice Manuel
Hi18 K
i think that playing a courtier, although it has its perks, is really demeaning and a pain in the ass. i mean, there is a good probability that whoever would consider himself a sort of courtier of someone else is under a leader who revels on this servitude stuff. kissing up to someone as pompous as letting others suck up to him has got to be bad.
i wonder whether i would ever resort to playing a courtier to my boss in work when i graduate. i accept the idea that i would probably work myself to death, get coffee and xerox stuff for my superiors, but i'm not sure if i would ever let myself purposely suck up just to get a promotion. Will you guys be willing to do this in the future?
monica ang L
pls pls comment on my post - 47th law. =)
The perfect situation i can derive from this law is in the example of Alexander the Great. During a party when Alexander the Great was drunk, one of his top men insulted Alexander the Great. Alexander, enraged, killed the man quickly. This was all done because the man could not hold his tongue.
Sean Co
Hi 18 K
To answer Monica Ang's question, i will never, ever suck up to my boss just to get a promotion. Haha. I get how playing a courtier can be beneficial for a person -- like Marion said, it's feeding the self esteem of the person in authority. And if you feed your boss' ego, then he'll feel good about you (that is, if he doesn't notice that you're just sucking up). But if i were to praise someone, it IS for the sake of praising. I mean, i appreciate something in that person and i just want him/her to know. I won't do it to suck up/ to be sipsip. I actually think sucking up makes a person look pathetic than powerful :|
Dana Cammayo
Hi18-L
In the Flipino Context, I think it can be applied to our president's advisors. They can give significant influences when it comes to [her] decisions. So when things go wrong, I don't think it is right to place all the blame on just the president.
~Sydney Arbilo
HI18-L
I agree with Monica when she says that "these people and the “rules” or cause and effects that normally come with being a courtier will forever stay in existence as long as power does." And we have the perfect courtier ruling our country today- Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo could very well be Bush's courtier. As Kyra said earlier, because of our mentality (and our current president), we have become the universal courtiers. Could this be the reason for our country not being able to progress?
Elise Noelle Anne Lim
Hi18 Section L
I think that one of the most successful people who I consider to be a courtier would be Rasputin. Not only was he able to convince Czarina Alexandra to relay his preferences(which included particular friends of his that he wanted to give positions in the Russian government) to the Czar. Not only was he successful in this, but he was ultimately able to(according to some people) cause the downfall of the Romanov family.
I don't believe that a leader should necessarily be the perfect courtier, but I think that it's a great stepping stone into becoming a good and powerful leader.
Regina A. Yulo
Hi 18 L
yes, to a certain extent, maybe this rule could still apply to our time. it would only be, however, to a certain extent. people these days are a bit more sensitive to the things that others say to them, whether it be genuine or sheer jest. It could be a temporary fix to a few problems but in the long run, it most probably would not work.
-Angelo Mendoza, His18-L
From what I understand, the perfect courtier is someone able to accomplish two opposite sides of different poles – from flattery to criticism, irking to pleasing leaders, be noticed by and distant from patrons, etc. This leads me to believe that a perfect courtier is someone who can perfectly manipulate his own emotions. Usually the other laws’ target is to manipulate others but this law is about being able to control yours, to your advantage.
I agree with Clarice that trust and power is needed for the success of this law. If the one the courtier "serves" does not trust him, the courtier will get nowhere. he also needs power as to stand out from other courtiers.
Chris Macalinao
Hi18 - L
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