--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: What was needed, was not merely a…" description: "\"“What was needed, was not merely a resolute man, but a man who was also free from the net of legal controls. Such being the circumstances, Quinctius de..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95f/livy-3007_burden-of-responsibi_what-was-needed-was-not-merely-a-resolut_1270642.png" --- # What was needed, was not merely a resolute man, but a man… ![“What was needed, was not merely a resolute man, but a man who was also free from the net of legal controls. Such being the circumstances, Quinctius declared that he would nominate Lucius Quinctius Cincinnatus as Dictator, convinced that in him were courage and resolution equal to the majestic…” quote by Livy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95f/livy-3007_burden-of-responsibi_what-was-needed-was-not-merely-a-resolut_1270642.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95f/livy-3007_burden-of-responsibi_what-was-needed-was-not-merely-a-resolut_1270642.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95f/livy-3007_burden-of-responsibi_what-was-needed-was-not-merely-a-resolut_1270642.png) > ““What was needed, was not merely a resolute man, but a man who was also free from the net of legal controls. Such being the circumstances, Quinctius declared that he would nominate Lucius Quinctius Cincinnatus as Dictator, convinced that in him were courage and resolution equal to the majestic authority of that office. The proposal was unanimously approved, but Cincinnatus, hesitating to accept the burden of responsibility, asked what the Senate was thinking of to wish to expose an old man like him to what must prove the sternest of struggles; but hesitation was in vain, for when from every corner of the House came the cry that in that aged heart lay more wisdom - yes, and courage too - than in all the rest put together, and when praises, well deserved, were heaped upon him and the consul refused to budge an inch from his purpose, Cincinnatus gave way and, with a prayer to God to save his old age from bringing loss or dishonor upon his country in her trouble, was named Dictator by the consul.”” [Livy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/livy/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A seasoned leader, though old, was chosen for a crisis because his wisdom and courage outweighed his age, showing that experience can trump youth in governance. **In simple terms:** An experienced elder was selected for a critical role due to his wisdom and courage. Key Takeaway Value experience and moral courage in leadership. Themes leadership experience wisdom courage public service Mood respectful reflective inspirational Type historical political leadership When to use this quote - political crisis - military emergency - government appointment - public trust - age and authority Key Concepts Roman Republic dictatorship senate decision elderly leadership Questions to Reflect On - How can societies balance youthful energy with seasoned wisdom? - What safeguards ensure elder leaders remain effective? A Different Perspective Age may limit physical stamina, but not necessarily strategic insight. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Burden of responsibility](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/burden-of-responsibility/) [History](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/history/) [Old age](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/old-age/) [Old man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/old-man/) [Political science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/political-science/) [Wisdom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wisdom/) ## Related quotes > [The footnote would seem to be the smallest detail in a work of history. 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Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [“Some of the political and historical texts that inform the arguments made here are “Politics and the English Language” by George Orwell (1946); The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-snyder/some-of-the-political-and-historical-texts-that-inform-the-arguments/) [Timothy Snyder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-snyder/) > [“Starting from where you are now, you choose. And in choosing, you also choose who you will be. 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I lived with a near-constant low-level anxiety that I would make a mistake that would not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donny-osmond/with-success-came-an-ever-growing-burden-of-responsibility-i-lived/) [Donny Osmond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donny-osmond/) ## More by Livy > [Present sufferings seem far greater to men than those they merely dread.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/livy/present-sufferings-seem-far-greater-to-men-than-those-they-merely/) [Livy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/livy/) > [The study of History is the best medicine for a sick mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/livy/the-study-of-history-is-the-best-medicine-for-a-sick-mind/) [Livy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/livy/) > [“Servius Sulpicius and M. Tullius were consuls the next year: nothing worth mentioning happened.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/livy/servius-sulpicius-and-m-tullius-were-consuls-the-next-year-nothing/) [Livy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/livy/) > [There is an old saying which, from its truth, has become proverbial, that friendships should be immortal, enmities mortal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/livy/there-is-an-old-saying-which-from-its-truth-has-become-proverbial/) [Livy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/livy/) > [Many things complicated by nature are restored by reason.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/livy/many-things-complicated-by-nature-are-restored-by-reason/) [Livy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/livy/) > [Bad beginnings, bad endings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/livy/bad-beginnings-bad-endings/) [Livy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/livy/) > [“In ancient Greece more than one royal house was guilty of crime which became the stuff of tragedy: now Rome was to follow the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/livy/in-ancient-greece-more-than-one-royal-house-was-guilty-of-crime-which/) [Livy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/livy/) > [“It is your duty,' he said, 'to recover your country not by gold but by the sword. 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That is one reason why some find comfort in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-givens/christ-invites-us-to-assume-the-yoke-but-we-would-rather-ride-in-the/) Terry Givens > [The baby boomers have dropped the ball on their burden of responsibility.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meghan-mccain/the-baby-boomers-have-dropped-the-ball-on-their-burden-of/) [Meghan McCain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meghan-mccain/) > [I have found it impossible to carry the heavy burden of responsibility.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/king-edward-viii/i-have-found-it-impossible-to-carry-the-heavy-burden-of-responsibility/) King Edward VIII > [“Americans, in foreign policy, are torn to the point of schizophrenia. 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If this sounds difficult and unnerving,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-bakewell/starting-from-where-you-are-now-you-choose-and-in-choosing-you-also/) [Sarah Bakewell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-bakewell/) > [“Some of the political and historical texts that inform the arguments made here are “Politics and the English Language” by George Orwell (1946); The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-snyder/some-of-the-political-and-historical-texts-that-inform-the-arguments/) [Timothy Snyder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-snyder/) > [Leadership involves the heavy burden of responsibility, and the fear of getting it wrong can paralyze a leader.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/leadership-involves-the-heavy-burden-of-responsibility-and-the-fear/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [“There was no meaning in life, and man by living served no end. 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It's very important that you'll know if you're a great leader because you will have awesome followship.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ant-middleton/followship-is-just-as-important-as-leadership-it-s-very-important/) [Ant Middleton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ant-middleton/) > [I never enjoyed being the star-man because as soon as you become the focal point of the team, you assume an extra burden of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabriel-batistuta/i-never-enjoyed-being-the-star-man-because-as-soon-as-you-become-the/) [Gabriel Batistuta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabriel-batistuta/) > [With success came an ever-growing burden of responsibility. 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The proposal was unanimously approved, but Cincinnatus, hesitating to accept the burden of responsibility, asked what the Senate was thinking of to wish to expose an old man like him to what must prove the sternest of struggles; but hesitation was in vain, for when from every corner of the House came the cry that in that aged heart lay more wisdom - yes, and courage too - than in all the rest put together, and when praises, well deserved, were heaped upon him and the consul refused to budge an inch from his purpose, Cincinnatus gave way and, with a prayer to God to save his old age from bringing loss or dishonor upon his country in her trouble, was named Dictator by the consul.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Livy" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/livy/what-was-needed-was-not-merely-a-resolute-man-but-a-man-who-was-also/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Burden of responsibility" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/livy/what-was-needed-was-not-merely-a-resolute-man-but-a-man-who-was-also/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95f/livy-3007_burden-of-responsibi_what-was-needed-was-not-merely-a-resolut_1270642.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95f/livy-3007_burden-of-responsibi_what-was-needed-was-not-merely-a-resolut_1270642.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95f/livy-3007_burden-of-responsibi_what-was-needed-was-not-merely-a-resolut_1270642.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“What was needed, was not merely a resolute man, but a man who was also free from the net of legal controls…” — Livy", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Livy", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/livy/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“What was needed, was not merely...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/livy/what-was-needed-was-not-merely-a-resolute-man-but-a-man-who-was-also/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/livy/what-was-needed-was-not-merely-a-resolute-man-but-a-man-who-was-also/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```