The phrase "I am the state" is famously attributed to King Louis XIV of France, who reigned from 1643 to 1715. This declaration encapsulated the principles of absolute monarchy, where the king viewed himself as the embodiment of the state and its laws. Louis XIV centralized power, famously asserting his divine right to rule without accountability to his subjects or legislative bodies. His reign is characterized by the opulence of the Palace of Versailles and the promotion of arts, culture, and military achievements, which further solidified his image as an absolute monarch and the epitome of royal authority in France.