Agent vs. Servant — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on September 27, 2023
An "Agent" represents or acts on behalf of another, while a "Servant" performs duties for others, typically in subservience.
Difference Between Agent and Servant
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
An "Agent" and a "Servant" both serve others, but their roles, capacities, and implications are distinct. An Agent primarily acts as a representative, often authorized to make decisions or take actions on someone else's behalf. A Servant, however, generally provides services, often manual or domestic, to others.
Agents often possess a degree of authority delegated to them, which allows them to make decisions or enter into agreements. This authority is typically derived from a principal-agent relationship. Servants, in contrast, are usually directed in their tasks and do not carry the same authority to represent or make decisions for those they serve.
When considering professional contexts, Agents can be found in various sectors, like real estate, entertainment, or insurance, guiding and acting for their clients. Servants, however, are more associated with personal or domestic roles, such as housekeeping or caregiving.
Legally speaking, the relationship between an Agent and their principal is often governed by agency law, which delineates the rights, obligations, and liabilities of both parties. On the other hand, the relationship between a Servant and their employer may be guided by employment law, focusing on terms of employment, rights, and duties.
The modern use of "Servant" has shifted over time, with terms like "employee" or "worker" being more common. Conversely, the term "Agent" remains prevalent, especially in professional and legal contexts.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Represents or acts on behalf of another.
Performs duties or tasks for another.
Authority
Often has delegated authority.
Typically follows directions or orders.
Typical Contexts
Professional sectors, legal representations.
Domestic roles, personal services.
Legal Framework
Agency law.
Employment law.
Modern Usage
Remains prevalent in various sectors.
Less common, replaced by "employee" or similar terms.
Compare with Definitions
Agent
A person authorized to act for another.
The author's Agent negotiated the book deal.
Servant
A person employed to perform services.
The wealthy family had several Servants in their mansion.
Agent
A representative in a specific field.
She's a top Agent in the real estate industry.
Servant
A biblical reference to a follower.
He was described as a Servant of God.
Agent
A substance that brings about a certain effect.
Bleach is an effective cleaning Agent.
Servant
A person dedicated to a particular cause.
She was a Servant to her community's needs.
Agent
An individual working covertly.
The secret Agent was on a mission.
Servant
One who is privately employed to perform domestic services.
Agent
An entity causing action or change.
Wind is a natural Agent of erosion.
Servant
One who is publicly employed to perform services, as for a government.
Agent
A person who acts on behalf of another person or group
In the event of illness, a durable power of attorney enabled her nephew to act as her agent
Servant
One who expresses submission, recognizance, or debt to another
Your obedient servant.
Agent
A person or thing that takes an active role or produces a specified effect
Universities are usually liberal communities that often view themselves as agents of social change
Servant
One who is hired to perform regular household or other duties, and receives compensation. As opposed to a slave.
There are three servants in the household, the butler and two maids.
Agent
One that acts or has the power or authority to act.
Servant
One who serves another, providing help in some manner.
She is quite the humble servant, the poor in this city owe much to her but she expects nothing.
Agent
One empowered to act for or represent another
An author's agent.
An insurance agent.
Servant
(religion) A person who dedicates themselves to God.
Agent
A means by which something is done or caused; an instrument.
Servant
(obsolete) A professed lover.
Agent
A force or substance that causes a change
A chemical agent.
An infectious agent.
Servant
A person of low condition or spirit.
Agent
A representative or official of a government or administrative department of a government
An FBI agent.
Servant
To subject.
Agent
A spy.
Servant
One who serves, or does services, voluntarily or on compulsion; a person who is employed by another for menial offices, or for other labor, and is subject to his command; a person who labors or exerts himself for the benefit of another, his master or employer; a subordinate helper.
Men in office have begun to think themselves mere agents and servants of the appointing power, and not agents of the government or the country.
Agent
(Linguistics) The argument that expresses the means or cause of an action or event described by a phrase or clause. The noun John is the agent in the clause John threw the ball.
Servant
One in a state of subjection or bondage.
Thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt.
Agent
To act as an agent or representative for
Who will agent your next book?.
Servant
A professed lover or suitor; a gallant.
In my time a servant was I one.
Our betters tell us they are our humble servants, but understand us to be their slaves.
Agent
To act as an agent or representative.
Servant
To subject.
Agent
One who exerts power, or has the power to act
Servant
A person working in the service of another (especially in the household)
Agent
One who acts for, or in the place of, another (the principal), by that person's authority; someone entrusted to do the business of another
Servant
In a subordinate position;
Theology should be the handmaiden of ethics
The state cannot be a servant of the church
Agent
A person who looks for work for another person
Servant
An individual in subservience.
In the play, he acted as the king's loyal Servant.
Agent
Someone who works for an intelligence agency
Servant
An old term for an administrative worker.
The civil Servant processed the paperwork.
Agent
An active power or cause or substance; something (e.g. biological, chemical, thermal, etc.) that has the power to produce an effect
Agent
(computing) In the client-server model, the part of the system that performs information preparation and exchange on behalf of a client or server. Especially in the phrase “intelligent agent” it implies some kind of autonomous process which can communicate with other agents to perform some collective task on behalf of one or more humans.
Agent
(grammar) The participant of a situation that carries out the action in this situation, e.g. "the boy" in the sentences "The boy kicked the ball" and "The ball was kicked by the boy".
Agent
(gambling) A cheat who is assisted by dishonest casino staff.
Agent
Acting; - opposed to patient, or sustaining, action.
Agent
One who exerts power, or has the power to act; an actor.
Heaven made us agents, free to good or ill.
Agent
One who acts for, or in the place of, another, by authority from him; one intrusted with the business of another; a substitute; a deputy; a factor.
Agent
An active power or cause; that which has the power to produce an effect, such as a physical, chemical, or medicinal agent; as, heat is a powerful agent.
Agent
A chemical substance having biological effects; a drug.
Agent
An active and efficient cause; capable of producing a certain effect;
Their research uncovered new disease agents
Agent
A substance that exerts some force or effect
Agent
A representative who acts on behalf of other persons or organizations
Agent
A businessman who buys or sells for another in exchange for a commission
Agent
Any agent or representative of a federal agency or bureau
Agent
The semantic role of the animate entity that instigates or causes the hapening denoted by the verb in the clause
Common Curiosities
Is an Agent always a person?
No, an "Agent" can also refer to a substance or entity causing action or change.
Is a literary Agent a representative of the author?
Yes, a literary Agent represents an author's interests, often in publishing negotiations.
Are all employees considered Servants?
Historically, employees might be termed Servants, but modern usage often differentiates between the two.
Do Servants have rights?
Yes, like all workers, Servants have rights, often protected by employment laws.
Can a company act as an Agent?
Yes, companies or entities can act as Agents representing another party's interests.
Does an Agent always have decision-making authority?
Often, yes, but the extent of an Agent's authority varies based on the agreement with their principal.
What's the difference between an Agent and a broker?
Both can act as intermediaries, but the specific roles and responsibilities can vary by industry and context.
Is "Servant" a derogatory term?
Context matters. In some contexts, it's neutral, but in others, it can be perceived as antiquated or demeaning.
Are all Servants paid for their services?
Not necessarily. Some might serve voluntarily or out of duty.
Can "Servant" be used metaphorically?
Yes, it can denote devotion or dedication, such as being a "Servant" to a cause or principle.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
