An example of how Louis XIV’s absolute power was limited would be his reliance on Jean-Baptiste Colbert to make reforms for him. While Louis XIV embodied absolute monarchy, his dependence on Colbert, who was a skilled finance minister, indicates that he needed capable administrators to implement his policies and manage the state effectively. This reliance illustrates a limitation to his absolute power, as it suggests he could not govern entirely without the support and expertise of others.
The other options, such as expanding the state bureaucracy or entertaining the nobility, reflect strategies he used to consolidate power rather than limitations on it.