A throne is always paid for in blood. The king of En had…
““A throne is always paid for in blood. The king of En had told her that once. Even should a king's ascension be bloodless as a gift from Heaven, to hold onto one's throne invariably meant that blood must flow -- as it had at the beginning, in the fight against the false king's armies, and the quelling of civil war, and the execution of criminals. Luckily, the fighting part was easy for Yoko. All she had to do was resist the temptation to run away.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Power comes at a cost; maintaining authority often requires violence and sacrifice.
In simple terms: Ruling demands blood and sacrifice.
Key Takeaway
Accept the cost of power.
Themes
authority
violence
responsibility
Mood
grim
serious
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- leadership
- war
- governance
- ethical dilemmas
Key Concepts
political power
moral compromise
Questions to Reflect On
- Is blood always necessary for control?
- Can power be held peacefully?
A Different Perspective
Violence may lead to rebellion.