--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Great power is worry, and total power is…" description: "\"“Great power is worry, and total power is boredom, such that even God renounces it and pretends, instead, that he is people and fish and insects and pl..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c34/alan-w-watts-9497_fear_great-power-is-worry-and-total-power-is_304966.jpg" --- # Great power is worry, and total power is boredom, such… ![“Great power is worry, and total power is boredom, such that even God renounces it and pretends, instead, that he is people and fish and insects and plants: the myth of the king who goes wandering among his subjects in disguise.” quote by Alan W. Watts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c34/alan-w-watts-9497_fear_great-power-is-worry-and-total-power-is_304966.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c34/alan-w-watts-9497_fear_great-power-is-worry-and-total-power-is_304966.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c34/alan-w-watts-9497_fear_great-power-is-worry-and-total-power-is_304966.jpg) > ““Great power is worry, and total power is boredom, such that even God renounces it and pretends, instead, that he is people and fish and insects and plants: the myth of the king who goes wandering among his subjects in disguise.”” [Alan W. Watts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-w-watts/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Power brings anxiety; ultimate power leads to existential boredom, prompting even deities to disguise themselves as ordinary life forms. **In simple terms:** Power causes worry; total power causes boredom, so even gods hide as common beings. Key Takeaway Recognize limits of power and seek humility. Themes power anxiety humility divinity disguise Mood thoughtful reflective Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - leadership - spiritual practice - creative writing - personal reflection Key Concepts existentialism mythology psychology Questions to Reflect On - How does power affect your sense of self? - What disguises do you adopt to cope with responsibility? A Different Perspective Power can corrupt and isolate; humility may be difficult to maintain. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Boredom God](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/boredom-god-2905840/) [Fear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fear/) [Myth King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/myth-king-2905844/) [Plants Myth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/plants-myth-2905842/) [Power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/power/) [Power Boredom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/power-boredom-2905841/) [Power Worry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/power-worry-2905843/) [Taoism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/taoism/) ## Related quotes > [“By the way, I'm not usually attracted to danger," I said. "Up until now I've led a pretty boring life." "Boredom is good!" 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