Alexander Quote by Jacob Abbott
““I am acting, then," continued Alexander, "only on the defensive. The gods, who always favor the right, have given me the victory. I am now monarch of a large part of Asia, and your sovereign king. If you will admit this, and come to me as my subject, I will restore to you your mother, your wife, and your child, without any ransom. And, at any rate, whatever you decide in respect to these proposals, if you wish to communicate with me on any subject hereafter, I shall pay no attention to what you send unless you address it to me as your king.””
About This Quote
Alexander asserts his legitimacy and power, demanding recognition and loyalty while offering clemency, framing his rule as divinely sanctioned and just.
In simple terms: Power, legitimacy, divine favor, clemency, loyalty, authority
Key Takeaway
Authority demands recognition
Themes
Power
Legitimacy
Divine Favor
Clemency
Loyalty
Authority
Mood
Stern
Imperial
Strategic
Type
Political speech
Historical proclamation
When to use this quote
- Diplomatic negotiations
- Treaty discussions
- Submission of rivals
- Appeals for mercy
- Establishing suzerainty
Key Concepts
Political negotiation
Rhetorical persuasion
Moral justification
Practical Applications
- Statecraft
- Conflict resolution
Questions to Reflect On
- What does it mean to claim divine favor in politics?
- How does offering mercy affect power dynamics?
