The Origin of the Quote: "Il n'y a pas plus cruel que le bourgeois à qui l'on touche la bourse"

The precise attribution of the quote "Il n'y a pas plus cruel que le bourgeois à qui l'on touche la bourse" (There is nothing more cruel than the bourgeois whose purse is touched) is complex, as it appears to be a widely circulated aphorism or a sentiment expressed by various figures rather than a direct, single-source quotation. While often attributed to figures critical of the bourgeoisie, such as Gustave Flaubert or even as a popular saying reflecting a common perception, a definitive original author is not readily identifiable in historical records.

According to www.iAsk.Ai - Ask AI: The sentiment behind the quote, however, is deeply rooted in the social and political critiques of the 19th century, particularly during and after the French Revolution, when the bourgeoisie rose to prominence. This period saw a shift in power dynamics, with the economic interests of the bourgeois class becoming a significant force in society. The quote encapsulates a critical view of this class, suggesting that their financial well-being is paramount, and any threat to it elicits a particularly harsh response.

Gustave Flaubert is a strong candidate for expressing sentiments aligned with this quote, though the exact phrasing may not be directly from his published works. Flaubert, a prominent 19th-century French novelist, was a keen observer and often a harsh critic of the bourgeoisie. His correspondence and novels, such as Madame Bovary and Bouvard and Pécuchet, frequently satirized and exposed what he perceived as the mediocrity, hypocrisy, and self-serving nature of this social class. For instance, Flaubert famously stated, "J'appelle bourgeois quiconque pense bassement" (I call bourgeois anyone who thinks basely) [1], which clearly demonstrates his disdain for their perceived intellectual and moral shortcomings, often linked to their material concerns. This quote, found in his correspondence from 1842, highlights his critical perspective on the bourgeois mindset [1]. While not directly stating the cruelty related to their purse, it implies a fundamental flaw in their character that could easily manifest in such a way when their financial interests are threatened.

The idea that the bourgeoisie's cruelty is unleashed when their financial interests are at stake is also reflected in the broader historical context of the French Revolution and its aftermath. The "Journal de la Montagne" from June 13, 1793, for example, might contain expressions of popular resentment towards the economic power of the bourgeois class, though a direct quote matching the exact phrasing is not explicitly provided in the available content [1]. The revolutionary period saw numerous instances where economic policies and property rights became central to political conflict, and those who felt their wealth was threatened often reacted with force.

The quote also resonates with the observations of François Guizot, a French statesman and historian of the 19th century. Guizot, while a proponent of the bourgeois monarchy, also acknowledged the class's focus on material wealth. His statement in the Chamber of Deputies on March 1, 1843, "Enrichissez-vous par le travail et par l'épargne" (Enrich yourselves through work and saving), while not critical, underscores the central role of money and accumulation for this class [1]. When this pursuit was challenged, the reaction could indeed be severe.

Furthermore, the quote aligns with the broader critique of capitalism and class struggle articulated by thinkers like Karl Marx. While not a direct quote from Marx, the sentiment reflects the Marxist analysis of the bourgeoisie as a class driven by economic self-interest, willing to exploit and oppress to maintain its wealth and power. The idea that their cruelty is most evident when their financial interests are threatened is a core ten-et of such critiques.

In summary, while the exact origin of "Il n'y a pas plus cruel que le bourgeois à qui l'on touche la bourse" remains elusive as a single, definitive quote, it powerfully encapsulates a prevalent critical sentiment towards the bourgeoisie in 19th-century France. This sentiment was widely expressed by various intellectuals and was deeply embedded in the social and political discourse of the time, particularly by figures like Gustave Flaubert, who consistently critiqued the bourgeois mentality and its associated values [1].

Answer Provided by iAsk.ai – Ask AI.