We remember the Spartan ambassador who, being asked in…
![“We remember the Spartan ambassador who, being asked in whose name he had come, replied: ‘In the name of the State, if I succeed; if I fail, in my own.’ [See Plutarch, ‘Lycurgus’, Lives, tr. J. Langhorne and W. Langhorne (London: Ward, Lock & Co., Limited, nd [1898]), pp. 40–1:” quote by Michael Oakeshott](https://sms4smile.com/q/img-quotes/cce/michael-oakeshott-23288_spartan-ambassador_we-remember-the-spartan-ambassador-who-b_3022357.jpg)
““We remember the Spartan ambassador who, being asked in whose name he had come, replied: ‘In the name of the State, if I succeed; if I fail, in my own.’ [See Plutarch, ‘Lycurgus’, Lives, tr. J. Langhorne and W. Langhorne (London: Ward, Lock & Co., Limited, nd [1898]), pp. 40–1:””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A leader claims personal responsibility for outcomes, not merely representing the state.
In simple terms: Leaders own success and failure personally.
Key Takeaway
Take ownership of your actions.
Themes
leadership
responsibility
integrity
Mood
serious
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- political office
- corporate leadership
- community projects
Key Concepts
political theory
personal agency
Questions to Reflect On
- What are the limits of personal accountability?
- How does this view affect team dynamics?
A Different Perspective
May be unrealistic for collective decision‑making.