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Direct. IV. Be a good husband to your wife, and a good…

“Direct. IV. Be a good husband to your wife, and a good father to your children, and a good master to your servants, and let love have dominion in all your government, that your inferiors may easily find, that it is their interest to obey you. For interest and self-love are the natural rulers of…” quote by Richard Baxter
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““Direct. IV. Be a good husband to your wife, and a good father to your children, and a good master to your servants, and let love have dominion in all your government, that your inferiors may easily find, that it is their interest to obey you. For interest and self-love are the natural rulers of the world.””

Richard Baxter

About This Quote

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

Good leadership requires love, humility, and service, not self‑interest.

In simple terms: Lead with love, not selfishness.

Key Takeaway

Practice compassionate authority.

Themes

leadership love service humility ethics

Mood

serious ethical

Type

philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

  • family life
  • community organizing
  • management
  • political governance

Key Concepts

social contract servant leadership

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you ensure love guides authority?
  • What structures prevent self‑interest from dominating?
A Different Perspective

Power can corrupt even loving leaders.

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