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The greater a man is in power above others, the more he…

“The greater a man is in power above others, the more he ought to excel them in virtue. None ought to govern who is not better than the governed.” quote by Publilius Syrus
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“The greater a man is in power above others, the more he ought to excel them in virtue. None ought to govern who is not better than the governed.”

Publilius Syrus

About This Quote

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

Power demands higher moral standards; leaders must be more virtuous than those they rule.

In simple terms: Leaders should be better than those they lead.

Key Takeaway

Lead by virtue, not just authority.

Themes

leadership ethics power responsibility

Mood

reflective serious

Type

philosophical advice

When to use this quote

  • government
  • corporate management
  • community organizing
  • team captaincy

Key Concepts

virtue ethics political philosophy

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you assess a leader’s virtue?
  • Can power be exercised ethically without virtue?
A Different Perspective

Virtue alone may not guarantee effective governance.

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