The king shall singly deliberate over secret matters; for…
“The king shall singly deliberate over secret matters; for ministers have their own ministers, and these latter some of their own; this kind of successive line of ministers tends to the disclosure of counsels.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Concentrating power in a single ruler leads to secrecy, while delegating to many creates layers that eventually expose confidential matters.
In simple terms: Too many layers of authority can leak secrets.
Limit hierarchical layers to protect confidentiality.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- government
- corporate structures
- military command
- policy making
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can transparency be balanced with secrecy?
- What safeguards can prevent leaks?
Complex systems may still leak information despite fewer layers.