--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: But I beg you to observe that there is a…" description: "\"But I beg you to observe that there is a wide difference between being captains or governors of work, and taking the profits of it. It does not follow,..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1db/john-ruskin-314_army_but-i-beg-you-to-observe-that-there-is-a_3206632.jpg" --- # But I beg you to observe that there is a wide difference… ![“But I beg you to observe that there is a wide difference between being captains or governors of work, and taking the profits of it. It does not follow, because you are general of an army, that you are to take all the treasure, or land, it wins; (if it fight for treasure or land); neither, because…” quote by John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1db/john-ruskin-314_army_but-i-beg-you-to-observe-that-there-is-a_3206632.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1db/john-ruskin-314_army_but-i-beg-you-to-observe-that-there-is-a_3206632.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1db/john-ruskin-314_army_but-i-beg-you-to-observe-that-there-is-a_3206632.jpg) > “But I beg you to observe that there is a wide difference between being captains or governors of work, and taking the profits of it. It does not follow, because you are general of an army, that you are to take all the treasure, or land, it wins; (if it fight for treasure or land); neither, because you are king of a nation, that you are to consume all the profits of the nation's work.” [John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. It distinguishes leadership roles from profit ownership, warning against assuming entitlement to all gains. **In simple terms:** Leaders shouldn't claim all profits. Key Takeaway Separate authority from profit rights. Themes leadership ethics economics Mood critical reflective Type philosophical ethical When to use this quote - business management - public policy - corporate governance Key Concepts property rights social responsibility Questions to Reflect On - Who truly deserves the profits of collective work? - How do we balance authority with fair compensation? A Different Perspective Profit entitlement can be justified by investment. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Army](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/army/) [Differences](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/differences/) [Governors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/governors/) [Kings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kings/) [Nations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nations/) [Political](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/political/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Profit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/profit/) [Profits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/profits/) [Treasure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/treasure/) [Winning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/winning/) ## Related quotes > [They say you never grow poor taking profits. No, you don't. 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