--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: They sighed: \"This leadeth to captivity…" description: "\"“They sighed: \"This leadeth to captivity-- Perchance destruction, ending dark and dire. Yet must we yield to human liberty Its own, e'en though a brand..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7dd/orson-f-whitney-22306_freedom_they-sighed-this-leadeth-to-captivity-pe_728468.png" --- # They sighed: "This leadeth to captivity-- Perchance… ![“They sighed: "This leadeth to captivity-- Perchance destruction, ending dark and dire. Yet must we yield to human liberty Its own, e'en though a brand from freedom's fire Kindle for freedom's self the fatal pyre." So saying, they anointed one their king Who craved the crown, by patriot son and…” quote by Orson F. Whitney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7dd/orson-f-whitney-22306_freedom_they-sighed-this-leadeth-to-captivity-pe_728468.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7dd/orson-f-whitney-22306_freedom_they-sighed-this-leadeth-to-captivity-pe_728468.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7dd/orson-f-whitney-22306_freedom_they-sighed-this-leadeth-to-captivity-pe_728468.png) > ““They sighed: "This leadeth to captivity-- Perchance destruction, ending dark and dire. Yet must we yield to human liberty Its own, e'en though a brand from freedom's fire Kindle for freedom's self the fatal pyre." So saying, they anointed one their king Who craved the crown, by patriot son and sire Put by in pure denial, lest it bring First care, then crime, and waken woes then slumbering. For though a king see duty's pathway plain, And walk therein, as he who now arose; What monarch from misrule can all refrain, When privilege lifts power o'er friends and foes? Rare is the reign untarnished to the close, And rarer still the blameless dynasty. Ofttimes as princes the unkingliest pose, Because, forsooth, they come of some tall tree, Whose root and trunk were sound, while branches blasted be. True kingliness--what else proves man a king? A slave, though throned and sceptered, bides a slave; Nor pride, nor pelf, nor all that power may bring, Can make the serf a sovereign, or yet save The dust of either from the common grave. Royal the soul must be, or comes to end All royalty. Spirit, then blood, God gave; And each at last its separate way doth wend Home to the parent source, to meet no more, nor blend.”” [Orson F. Whitney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orson-f-whitney/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The poem argues that true authority comes from moral virtue, not hereditary power, and that even crowned rulers are bound by mortality and responsibility. **In simple terms:** Real power is moral, not inherited. Key Takeaway Seek virtue over status. Themes leadership morality power mortality Mood reflective somber inspirational Type philosophical poetic ethical When to use this quote - political leadership - family succession - personal ambition - public service Key Concepts philosophy political theory ethics Questions to Reflect On - What defines a legitimate ruler? - Can power be separated from moral character? A Different Perspective Even virtuous rulers cannot escape death or the consequences of their choices. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [First Car](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/first-car/) [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [King Craved](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/king-craved-5711398/) [King Duty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/king-duty-5711399/) [Monarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/monarch/) [Serf Sovereign](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/serf-sovereign-5711400/) [Slave Throned](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/slave-throned-5711397/) ## Related quotes > [“I am acting, then," continued Alexander, "only on the defensive. The gods, who always favor the right, have given me the victory. 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Whitney > [Poetry is the elder sister of history, the mother of language, the ancestress of civilization.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orson-f-whitney/poetry-is-the-elder-sister-of-history-the-mother-of-language-the/) [Orson F. Whitney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orson-f-whitney/) > [Our Heavenly Father is far more merciful, infinitely more charitable, than even the best of his servants, and the Everlasting Gospel is mightier in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orson-f-whitney/our-heavenly-father-is-far-more-merciful-infinitely-more-charitable/) [Orson F. Whitney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orson-f-whitney/) > [This was one of the greatest test of his faith he had ever experienced. The thought of deceiving the kind and faithful wife of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orson-f-whitney/this-was-one-of-the-greatest-test-of-his-faith-he-had-ever/) [Orson F. 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For though a king see duty's pathway plain, And walk therein, as he who now arose; What monarch from misrule can all refrain, When privilege lifts power o'er friends and foes? Rare is the reign untarnished to the close, And rarer still the blameless dynasty. Ofttimes as princes the unkingliest pose, Because, forsooth, they come of some tall tree, Whose root and trunk were sound, while branches blasted be. True kingliness--what else proves man a king? A slave, though throned and sceptered, bides a slave; Nor pride, nor pelf, nor all that power may bring, Can make the serf a sovereign, or yet save The dust of either from the common grave. Royal the soul must be, or comes to end All royalty. Spirit, then blood, God gave; And each at last its separate way doth wend Home to the parent source, to meet no more, nor blend.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Orson F. Whitney" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orson-f-whitney/they-sighed-this-leadeth-to-captivity-perchance-destruction-ending/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Freedom" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orson-f-whitney/they-sighed-this-leadeth-to-captivity-perchance-destruction-ending/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7dd/orson-f-whitney-22306_freedom_they-sighed-this-leadeth-to-captivity-pe_728468.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7dd/orson-f-whitney-22306_freedom_they-sighed-this-leadeth-to-captivity-pe_728468.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7dd/orson-f-whitney-22306_freedom_they-sighed-this-leadeth-to-captivity-pe_728468.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“They sighed: \"This leadeth to captivity-- Perchance destruction, ending dark and dire. Yet must we yield to…” — Orson F. 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