--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A king ruleth as he ought, a tyrant as he…" description: "\"A king ruleth as he ought, a tyrant as he lists, a king to the profit of all, a tyrant only to please a few.\" — Aristotle" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a9c/aristotle-78_king_a-king-ruleth-as-he-ought-a-tyrant-as-he_2044735.png" --- # A king ruleth as he ought, a tyrant as he lists, a king to… ![“A king ruleth as he ought, a tyrant as he lists, a king to the profit of all, a tyrant only to please a few.” quote by Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a9c/aristotle-78_king_a-king-ruleth-as-he-ought-a-tyrant-as-he_2044735.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a9c/aristotle-78_king_a-king-ruleth-as-he-ought-a-tyrant-as-he_2044735.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a9c/aristotle-78_king_a-king-ruleth-as-he-ought-a-tyrant-as-he_2044735.png) > “A king ruleth as he ought, a tyrant as he lists, a king to the profit of all, a tyrant only to please a few.” [Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A ruler who governs for the common good differs from a tyrant who serves only a select few. **In simple terms:** Good rulers serve all; tyrants serve few. Key Takeaway Govern for the many, not the few. Themes leadership ethics politics justice power Mood reflective critical thoughtful Type philosophical political When to use this quote - government policy - community organizing - activism - public office - corporate governance Key Concepts utilitarianism tyranny common good Questions to Reflect On - What responsibilities do leaders have to minorities? - How can power be checked? A Different Perspective Even good rulers can become tyrants if they ignore minority rights. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/king/) [King Ruleth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/king-ruleth-3823975/) [Kings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kings/) [Lists](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lists/) [Lists King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lists-king-3823974/) [Ought](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ought/) [Ought Tyrant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ought-tyrant-3823973/) [Please](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/please/) [Profit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/profit/) [Profit Tyrant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/profit-tyrant-3823972/) [Tyranny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tyranny/) [Tyrant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tyrant/) [Tyrants](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tyrants/) ## Related quotes > [The tyrant, who in order to hold his power, suppresses every superiority, does away with good men, forbids education and light, controls every movement…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristotle/the-tyrant-who-in-order-to-hold-his-power-suppresses-every/) [Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/) > [Democracy was the right of the people to choose their own tyrant.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/democracy-was-the-right-of-the-people-to-choose-their-own-tyrant/) [James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-madison/) > [I would rather be my own tyrant than have someone else tyrannize me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-flagler/i-would-rather-be-my-own-tyrant-than-have-someone-else-tyrannize-me/) [Henry Flagler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-flagler/) > [In the States, I learned to fight for every idea. 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