It little profits that an idle king, By this still hearth…
““It little profits that an idle king, By this still hearth, among these barren crags, Match'd with an agèd wife, I mete and dole Unequal laws unto a savage race, That hoard, and sleep, and feed, and know not me.””
About This Quote
Source Poem: The Eagle, Alfred Lord Tennyson, 1851
A ruler who is detached, lives in luxury, and enforces unfair laws over a primitive people, is ultimately powerless and disconnected from reality.
In simple terms: Idle power leads to unjust rule.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the danger of detached authority.
Themes
power
justice
detachment
leadership
Mood
cautionary
critical
reflective
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- political leadership
- corporate governance
- community organizing
- historical analysis
Key Concepts
elitism
social contract
authority
inequality
Questions to Reflect On
- How does detachment affect a leader’s legitimacy?
- What responsibilities do those in power have to the governed?
A Different Perspective
Such rulers may still wield influence despite moral failings.