King Quote by Jonathan Swift
““is a very kingly, honourable, and frequent practice, when one prince desires the assistance of another, to secure him against an invasion, that the assistant, when he has driven out the invader, should seize on the dominions himself, and kill, imprison, or banish, the prince he came to relieve. ””
About This Quote
Source Essay: A Modest Proposal, 1729
The passage satirically describes a prince betraying another after offering help, highlighting treacherous politics and power grabs.
In simple terms: Powerful allies may become enemies after helping.
Key Takeaway
Beware of hidden motives in alliances.
Themes
politics
betrayal
power
trust
Mood
skeptical
reflective
Type
satirical
political
When to use this quote
- diplomacy
- business negotiations
- military alliances
- personal relationships
Key Concepts
realpolitik
ethical hypocrisy
strategic deception
Questions to Reflect On
- When have you seen assistance turn into exploitation?
- How can trust be maintained in competitive environments?
A Different Perspective
The example may be exaggerated and not reflect all alliances.
