The Courts of Man

Philip Dormer Stanhope was the 4^th Earl of Chesterfield, KG, PC.  He was a noted British statesman, a diplomat, a man of letters, and an acclaimed wit of his time.  He wrote a series of letters to his illegitimate son, also called Philip Stanhope.  They were compiled into “Letters to His Son on the Art of Becoming a Man of the World and a Gentleman”, in 1774.  It was written in English, French, and Latin.

In one of his letters, he said, “Courts are, unquestionably, the seats of politeness and good breeding; were they not so, they would be the seats of slaughter and desolation.  Those who now smile upon and embrace, would affront and stab, each other, if manners did not interpose.”

This is as valid now, as it was then.  Throughout history, a court has always formed around centres of power, perceived or otherwise.  These are the people who gravitate around people of authority, from residual royalty, to ministers, to wealthy businessmen, to even the class president.  It is a natural process.  In the same vein, it is also natural, within companies, within organisations, within any group of people, that groups and competing agendas develop.  It is the nature of people to seek power, recognition, validation and titles.  It is not inherently wrong.

What is inherently foolish, however, is when people pretend these things do not exist, and that they are immune from these tides of human passion and ambition.  If this is an ocean of needs and wants, the superior man knows how to keep himself above it, by not being drawn into any particular camp, and yet be useful to all.  There is a n etiquette in hierarchical organisations.  Whilst direct, violent attack, by word or deeds is frowned, people play at power using the system.  It is important to understand this, and be aware that the embrace may hide a dagger.