--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: What a terrible thing to be a great lord…" description: "\"What a terrible thing to be a great lord, yet a wicked man.\" — Moliere" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1f0/moliere-965_aristocracy_what-a-terrible-thing-to-be-a-great-lord_1604766.png" --- # What a terrible thing to be a great lord, yet a wicked man. ![“What a terrible thing to be a great lord, yet a wicked man.” quote by Moliere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1f0/moliere-965_aristocracy_what-a-terrible-thing-to-be-a-great-lord_1604766.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1f0/moliere-965_aristocracy_what-a-terrible-thing-to-be-a-great-lord_1604766.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1f0/moliere-965_aristocracy_what-a-terrible-thing-to-be-a-great-lord_1604766.png) > “What a terrible thing to be a great lord, yet a wicked man.” [Moliere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/moliere/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Great power can coexist with moral corruption, exposing the paradox of authority and wickedness. **In simple terms:** Power and wickedness can coexist, revealing paradox. Key Takeaway Question authority's morality. Themes power morality paradox corruption leadership Mood critical thoughtful Type literary philosophical When to use this quote - political analysis - leadership training - literary study Key Concepts political theory ethics social critique Questions to Reflect On - What checks prevent corrupt leaders? - How does society reconcile power with ethics? A Different Perspective Power does not guarantee virtue. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Aristocracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aristocracy/) [God](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/god/) [Lord](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lord/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Terrible things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/terrible-things/) [Wicked man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wicked-man/) ## Related quotes > [It's a terrible thing that your life turns into a good story.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salman-rushdie/it-s-a-terrible-thing-that-your-life-turns-into-a-good-story/) [Salman Rushdie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salman-rushdie/) > [I used to think that seniority was a terrible thing when I didn't have any.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-dole/i-used-to-think-that-seniority-was-a-terrible-thing-when-i-didn-t/) [Bob Dole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-dole/) > [A terrible thing happened to me last night again—nothing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phyllis-diller/a-terrible-thing-happened-to-me-last-night-again-nothing/) [Phyllis Diller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phyllis-diller/) > [To teach superstitions as truth is a most terrible thing,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hypatia/to-teach-superstitions-as-truth-is-a-most-terrible-thing/) [Hypatia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hypatia/) > [I wanted to be cute. That's the terrible thing. I should have had more sense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-parker/i-wanted-to-be-cute-that-s-the-terrible-thing-i-should-have-had-more/) [Dorothy Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-parker/) > [The terrible thing about acting is the stops and starts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anjelica-huston/the-terrible-thing-about-acting-is-the-stops-and-starts/) [Anjelica Huston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anjelica-huston/) > [My arms are up to the elbows in blood. That is the most terrible thing that lies in my soul.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikita-khrushchev/my-arms-are-up-to-the-elbows-in-blood-that-is-the-most-terrible-thing/) [Nikita Khrushchev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikita-khrushchev/) > [I know the most terrible thing that can happen to a woman. That is the gang-up. Men put you to sleep with their drops…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ethel-waters/i-know-the-most-terrible-thing-that-can-happen-to-a-woman-that-is-the/) [Ethel Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ethel-waters/) > [A mime is a terrible thing to waste.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcel-marceau/a-mime-is-a-terrible-thing-to-waste/) [Marcel Marceau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcel-marceau/) > [An ugly woman with a gun is a terrible thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-macdonald/an-ugly-woman-with-a-gun-is-a-terrible-thing/) [Ross Macdonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-macdonald/) > [The terrible thing, the almost impossible thing, is the hand over your whole self--all your wishes and precautions--to Christ.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/the-terrible-thing-the-almost-impossible-thing-is-the-hand-over-your/) [C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/) > [For the truth is a terrible thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-penn-warren/for-the-truth-is-a-terrible-thing/) [Robert Penn Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-penn-warren/) > [Hearing loss is a terrible thing because it cannot be repaired.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pete-townshend/hearing-loss-is-a-terrible-thing-because-it-cannot-be-repaired/) [Pete Townshend](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pete-townshend/) > [Without publicity a terrible thing happens: nothing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-t-barnum/without-publicity-a-terrible-thing-happens-nothing/) [P. T. Barnum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-t-barnum/) > [What a terrible thing it is to lose one's mind...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-quayle/what-a-terrible-thing-it-is-to-lose-one-s-mind/) [Dan Quayle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-quayle/) ## More by Moliere > [I might, by chance, write something just as shoddy; But then I wouldn't show it to everybody.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/moliere/i-might-by-chance-write-something-just-as-shoddy-but-then-i-wouldn-t/) [Moliere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/moliere/) > [Tobacco is the passion of honest men and he who lives without tobacco is not worthy of living.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/moliere/tobacco-is-the-passion-of-honest-men-and-he-who-lives-without-tobacco/) [Moliere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/moliere/) > [Cover that bosom that I must not see: souls are wounded by such things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/moliere/cover-that-bosom-that-i-must-not-see-souls-are-wounded-by-such-things/) [Moliere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/moliere/) > [Outside of Paris, there is no hope for the cultured.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/moliere/outside-of-paris-there-is-no-hope-for-the-cultured/) [Moliere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/moliere/) > [Even Rome cannot grant us a dispensation from death.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/moliere/even-rome-cannot-grant-us-a-dispensation-from-death/) [Moliere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/moliere/) > [Anyone may be an honorable man, and yet write verse badly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/moliere/anyone-may-be-an-honorable-man-and-yet-write-verse-badly/) [Moliere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/moliere/) > [The beautiful eyes of my cash-box.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/moliere/the-beautiful-eyes-of-my-cash-box/) [Moliere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/moliere/) > [He makes his cook his merit, and the world visits his dinners and not him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/moliere/he-makes-his-cook-his-merit-and-the-world-visits-his-dinners-and-not/) [Moliere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/moliere/) > [Show some mercy to this chair which has stretched out its arms to you for so long; please satisfy its desire to embrace you!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/moliere/show-some-mercy-to-this-chair-which-has-stretched-out-its-arms-to-you/) [Moliere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/moliere/) > [In order to prove a friend to one's guests, frugality must reign in one's meals; and, according to an ancient saying, one must eat…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/moliere/in-order-to-prove-a-friend-to-one-s-guests-frugality-must-reign-in/) [Moliere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/moliere/) > [In society one needs a flexible virtue; too much goodness can be blamable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/moliere/in-society-one-needs-a-flexible-virtue-too-much-goodness-can-be/) [Moliere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/moliere/) > [Some of the most famous books are the least worth reading. Their fame was due to their having done something that needed to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/moliere/some-of-the-most-famous-books-are-the-least-worth-reading-their-fame/) [Moliere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/moliere/) > [Assassination's the fastest way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/moliere/assassination-s-the-fastest-way/) [Moliere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/moliere/) > [Nothing can be fairer, or more noble, than the holy fervor of true zeal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/moliere/nothing-can-be-fairer-or-more-noble-than-the-holy-fervor-of-true-zeal/) [Moliere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/moliere/) > [Words and deeds are far from being one. Much that is talked about is left undone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/moliere/words-and-deeds-are-far-from-being-one-much-that-is-talked-about-is/) [Moliere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/moliere/) [Explore all 291 Moliere quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/moliere/) ## More Aristocracy quotes > [When I was trying to come up with a stage name, I thought 'Lord' was super rad, but really masculine - ever since I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorde/when-i-was-trying-to-come-up-with-a-stage-name-i-thought-lord-was/) [Lorde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorde/) > [Philosopher is a dictator who modifies accepted standards with his thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/philosopher-is-a-dictator-who-modifies-accepted-standards-with-his/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [Motherland is our property and we have right to handle our properties as pleased. The jokes about death for the sake of the motherland…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/motherland-is-our-property-and-we-have-right-to-handle-our-properties/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [There is... an artificial aristocracy founded on wealth and birth, without either virtue or talents... The artificial aristocracy is a mischievous ingredient in government,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/there-is-an-artificial-aristocracy-founded-on-wealth-and-birth/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Your best friends are your principles, if you havent them, dont look for another friend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/your-best-friends-are-your-principles-if-you-havent-them-dont-look/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [A strong saying is not afraid of criticism, because it includes all the answers to criticism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/a-strong-saying-is-not-afraid-of-criticism-because-it-includes-all/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [“I believe in aristocracy, though -- if that is the right word, and if a democrat may use it. Not an aristocracy of power,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-m-forster-2/i-believe-in-aristocracy-though-if-that-is-the-right-word-and-if-a/) [E.M. Forster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-m-forster-2/) > [24.9 percent of American children live in poverty, while the proportions in Germany, France and Italy are 8.6, 7.4 and 10.5 percent. And once…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-hutton/24-9-percent-of-american-children-live-in-poverty-while-the/) [Will Hutton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-hutton/) > [Tomorrow every Duchess in London will be waiting to kiss me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ramsay-macdonald/tomorrow-every-duchess-in-london-will-be-waiting-to-kiss-me/) [Ramsay MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ramsay-macdonald/) > [“Why do these big old country houses always have family portraits in the dining room? Do you really want to eat with someone's gloomy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-jane-howard/why-do-these-big-old-country-houses-always-have-family-portraits-in/) [Elizabeth Jane Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-jane-howard/) > [“I believe in aristocracy, though—if that is the right word, and if a democrat may use it. Not an aristocracy of power … but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elaine-n-aron/i-believe-in-aristocracy-though-if-that-is-the-right-word-and-if-a-2/) [Elaine N. Aron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elaine-n-aron/) > [Books are the treasured wealth of the world and the fit inheritance of generations and nations. Books, the oldest and the best, stand naturally…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/books-are-the-treasured-wealth-of-the-world-and-the-fit-inheritance/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [We stand a better chance with aristocracy, whether hereditary or elective, than with monarchy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-stiles/we-stand-a-better-chance-with-aristocracy-whether-hereditary-or/) [Ezra Stiles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-stiles/) > [ The law for religious freedom... \[has\]put down the aristocracy of the clergy and restored to the citizen the freedom of the mind. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/the-law-for-religious-freedom-has-put-down-the-aristocracy-of-the/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Common sense, in so far as it exists, is all for the bourgeoisie. Nonsense is the privilege of the aristocracy. The worries of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-jean-nathan/common-sense-in-so-far-as-it-exists-is-all-for-the-bourgeoisie/) [George Jean Nathan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-jean-nathan/) [Browse all 426 Aristocracy quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aristocracy/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "What a terrible thing to be a great lord, yet a wicked man.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Moliere" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/moliere/what-a-terrible-thing-to-be-a-great-lord-yet-a-wicked-man/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Aristocracy" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/moliere/what-a-terrible-thing-to-be-a-great-lord-yet-a-wicked-man/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1f0/moliere-965_aristocracy_what-a-terrible-thing-to-be-a-great-lord_1604766.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1f0/moliere-965_aristocracy_what-a-terrible-thing-to-be-a-great-lord_1604766.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1f0/moliere-965_aristocracy_what-a-terrible-thing-to-be-a-great-lord_1604766.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“What a terrible thing to be a great lord, yet a wicked man.” — Moliere", "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": "Moliere", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/moliere/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "What a terrible thing to be...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/moliere/what-a-terrible-thing-to-be-a-great-lord-yet-a-wicked-man/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/moliere/what-a-terrible-thing-to-be-a-great-lord-yet-a-wicked-man/#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 } } ] } ```