Maistre: Considerations On France May 2026

The central pillar of Maistre’s argument is that the Revolution was a "satanic" event, though one sanctioned by God. He views the Enlightenment as a period of intellectual pride where "philosophes" attempted to replace divine order with human reason. To Maistre, the Reign of Terror was the logical conclusion of this hubris.

"I have seen, in my time, Frenchmen, Italians, Russians... but as for Man, I declare I never met him in my life; if he exists, it is without my knowledge." Maistre: Considerations on France

He concludes that the restoration of the Bourbon monarchy is not only inevitable but will occur with surprising ease. He suggests that once the "fever" of the Revolution breaks, the French people will realize that the King is their only true protector against the chaos of democratic factionalism. Legacy and Impact The central pillar of Maistre’s argument is that