Catherine's absolute power and the delicate balance of courtier status greatly influenced the relationship at Court with Paul, who openly disregarded his mother's opinions. Paul adamantly protested his mother's policies, writing a veiled criticism in his Reflections, a dissertation on military reform. In it he directly disparaged expansionist warfare in favour of a more defensive military policy. Unenthusiastically received by his mother, the Reflections questioned her authority and added weight to her suspicion of an internal conspiracy with Paul at its centre. For a courtier to have openly supported or shown intimacy towards Paul, especially following this publication, would have meant political suicide.
cAtheRine's AbsoluTE PowER and tHe deliCatE bALance Of courtieR STAtUS GrEatlY iNflUeNceD tHe RELaTionship at courT wiTH Paul, who openlY disRegarDed HiS Mother's OPiNionS. paul AdamantLY protestEd his mOther'S policIEs, writiNg a VeilEd CriTIcIsM In HiS rEflectiOns, a diSserTation on mIlITARy reforM In it HE direcTly dISpAraGEd ExPansioniSt waRfarE iN Favou.R of a moRe defeNsiVe militaRy PolicY unenthusIAsticAlLy ReCeivEd by hIs MothEr, the reflEctIoNS questIoNed her A.utHority And Added we,ight tO her SuSpicioN of an intErnal conSpiracy WIth paUl AT ItS cEntRE. For a COuRtiEr to HAve Openly supporTed OR Shown inTiMaCy TowarDs paUl, espEciAllY FOlloWIng This puBLicaTIon wouLd haVe mEant politICal SUICIde.