If you see a poor man come into your majlis, try to speak…
““If you see a poor man come into your majlis, try to speak to him before you speak to the other people,” the king told his son. “Never make a decision on the spot. Say you will give your decision later. Never sign a paper sending someone to prison unless you are 100 percent convinced. And once you’ve signed, don’t change your mind. Be solid. You will find that people try to test you.” Fahd was delivering his basic course in local leadership—Saudi Governance 101. “If you don’t know anything about a subject, be quiet until you do. Recruit some older people who can give you advice. And if a citizen comes with a case against the government, take the citizen’s side to start with and give the officials a hard time the government will have no shortage of people to speak for them.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Leaders should deliberate, seek counsel, and act with certainty, avoiding rash decisions and ensuring integrity.
In simple terms: Think before acting, seek advice, be firm.
Key Takeaway
Pause, consult, then decide.
Themes
leadership
decision‑making
integrity
Mood
thoughtful
pragmatic
Type
advice
leadership
When to use this quote
- business negotiations
- government policy
- personal disputes
- court rulings
Key Concepts
political theory
ethical leadership
Questions to Reflect On
- When have you acted without full information?
- Who can you trust for honest counsel?
A Different Perspective
Time constraints may force quicker decisions.