Ce sont les méres qui détiennent le vrai pouvoir.

Ce sont les méres qui détiennent le vrai pouvoir.

I found the above in one of my French notebooks.
I mean a book I used to write down at the French class.
What is the meaning of it?
It should be a proverb.

0 members like this

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Pamela Kingfisher on October 5, 2009 at 3:51am

It is mothers that wield true power.
Ok Frank, how close did I get?
Pam

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Frank on October 5, 2009 at 8:18am

Perfect :)

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Crack1 on October 5, 2009 at 2:19pm

I thank Pam and Frank for the replies
This doesn't border a proverb.

What is the verb behind the word 'détiennent'?

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Pamela Kingfisher on October 5, 2009 at 3:03pm

the verb is détenir and according to my Larousse it means to to hold, be the holder of, to have in one's possesion or to detain
Pamela

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Neil Coffey on October 5, 2009 at 4:08pm

In this case, I think plain boring old "have" (or indeed "hold") would be fine.

Your idea of "wield" is not a bad solution either. The only slight thing to consider is that "wield" suggests a notion of movement (as in wielding an axe), whereas "détenir" if anything suggests the opposite of movement. But on the other hand, "wield power" is a reasonably common phrase in English... as ever in translation, you have to weight up the evils of the various solutions.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Crack1 on October 5, 2009 at 5:03pm

On reflection, the correct English translation crossed my mind.

The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world.

I alway tell the above humorously among my friends. Because the domination of women is seen everywhere.
It may be between a man and his wife or boyfriend and girlfriend.
Women steer all the activities and man just obey to her.
She has the final say in all affairs.
Even at an office the boss or CEO bows to his secretary. I have noticed these things.