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And the good ruler is precisely the one who exercises his…

“And the good ruler is precisely the one who exercises his power as it ought to be exercised, that is, simultaneously exercising his power over himself. And it is the power over oneself that thus regulates one's power over others.” quote by Michel Foucault
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““And the good ruler is precisely the one who exercises his power as it ought to be exercised, that is, simultaneously exercising his power over himself. And it is the power over oneself that thus regulates one's power over others.””

Michel Foucault

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Effective governance requires self‑discipline; personal control precedes authority over others.

In simple terms: Rule yourself before ruling others.

Key Takeaway

Practice self‑governance.

Themes

power ethics self‑control

Mood

analytical critical

Type

philosophical political

When to use this quote

  • leadership training
  • personal development
  • political activism

Key Concepts

political theory philosophy

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you balance self‑discipline with freedom?
  • What limits should power have?
A Different Perspective

Self‑control can be oppressive if misapplied.

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