--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Such power I gave the people as might do…" description: "\"Such power I gave the people as might do, Abridged not what they had, now lavished new, Those that were great in wealth and high in place My counsel li..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/04f/plutarch-597_disgrace_such-power-i-gave-the-people-as-might-do_1407659.jpg" --- # Such power I gave the people as might do, Abridged not… ![“Such power I gave the people as might do, Abridged not what they had, now lavished new, Those that were great in wealth and high in place My counsel likewise kept from all disgrace. Before them both I held my shield of might, And let not either touch the other's right.” quote by Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/04f/plutarch-597_disgrace_such-power-i-gave-the-people-as-might-do_1407659.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/04f/plutarch-597_disgrace_such-power-i-gave-the-people-as-might-do_1407659.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/04f/plutarch-597_disgrace_such-power-i-gave-the-people-as-might-do_1407659.jpg) > “Such power I gave the people as might do, Abridged not what they had, now lavished new, Those that were great in wealth and high in place My counsel likewise kept from all disgrace. Before them both I held my shield of might, And let not either touch the other's right.” [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A ruler’s power is best used to serve the people, sharing wealth and maintaining dignity without causing conflict. **In simple terms:** Rulers should serve people and avoid conflict. Key Takeaway Lead with service, not domination. Themes leadership service conflict Mood reflective serious Type philosophical ethical When to use this quote - public office - community leadership - policy making - conflict resolution Key Concepts political philosophy ethical governance Questions to Reflect On - What responsibilities do leaders have to their people? - How can power be balanced with humility? A Different Perspective Power can be abused, leading to oppression. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/power/) [Wealth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wealth/) ## Related quotes > [“The reason I am single is that I gave my all to people who are not giving me a chance.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/de-philosopher-dj-kyos/the-reason-i-am-single-is-that-i-gave-my-all-to-people-who-are-not/) De philosopher DJ Kyos > [My MIND POWER gave me this body.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/serge-nubret/my-mind-power-gave-me-this-body/) [Serge Nubret](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/serge-nubret/) > [Ah, lady! it is hardly what you thought it, This life of luxury and social power; You gave yourself as principal, and bought it,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ella-wheeler-wilcox/ah-lady-it-is-hardly-what-you-thought-it-this-life-of-luxury-and/) [Ella Wheeler Wilcox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ella-wheeler-wilcox/) > [Nothing can prevent your picture from coming into concrete form except the same power which gave it birth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sitara-devi/nothing-can-prevent-your-picture-from-coming-into-concrete-form-3/) [Sitara Devi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sitara-devi/) > [If... we choose death rather than true life, God does not take away the power that He gave us. And not only does He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-palamas/if-we-choose-death-rather-than-true-life-god-does-not-take-away-the/) [Gregory Palamas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-palamas/) > [“Always remember: Power in the wrong hands can destroy the owner. The same power that gave victory to Samson is what destroyed him.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ziad-k-abdelnour/always-remember-power-in-the-wrong-hands-can-destroy-the-owner-the/) [Ziad K. Abdelnour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ziad-k-abdelnour/) > [... the Power who gave a power, by its mere existence, signifies that it must be brought out towards perfection.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-fuller/the-power-who-gave-a-power-by-its-mere-existence-signifies-that-it/) [Margaret Fuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-fuller/) > [Monster only had the power that you gave them](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-shusterman/monster-only-had-the-power-that-you-gave-them/) [Neal Shusterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-shusterman/) > [“Nothing can prevent your picture from coming into concrete form except the same power which gave it birth – yourself.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/nothing-can-prevent-your-picture-from-coming-into-concrete-form-2/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“The past only had the power he gave it,”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-cardello/the-past-only-had-the-power-he-gave-it/) [Ruth Cardello](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-cardello/) > [Nothing can prevent your picture from coming into concrete form except the same power which gave it birth – yourself. (Genevieve Behrend)](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rhonda-byrne/nothing-can-prevent-your-picture-from-coming-into-concrete-form/) [Rhonda Byrne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rhonda-byrne/) > [“Jesus knew that if he gave people the help they asked for, rather than merely the help he wanted to give, that he was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neale-donald-walsch/jesus-knew-that-if-he-gave-people-the-help-they-asked-for-rather-than/) [Neale Donald Walsch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neale-donald-walsch/) > [I did everything within my power to please her,i gave all that I could to keep her but she still left me,i guess she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fena-ramasilo/i-did-everything-within-my-power-to-please-her-i-gave-all-that-i/) [Fena Ramasilo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fena-ramasilo/) > [I never gave up, even when people told me I'd never make it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-wickman/i-never-gave-up-even-when-people-told-me-i-d-never-make-it/) Bob Wickman > [the past only had whatever power you gave it; life was what you made it and if you wanted something different from what you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-zarr/the-past-only-had-whatever-power-you-gave-it-life-was-what-you-made/) [Sara Zarr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-zarr/) ## More by Plutarch > [When Eudæmonidas heard a philosopher arguing that only a wise man can be a good general, "This is a wonderful speech," said he; "but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/when-eud-monidas-heard-a-philosopher-arguing-that-only-a-wise-man-can/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [The generous mind adds dignity to every act, and nothing misbecomes it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/the-generous-mind-adds-dignity-to-every-act-and-nothing-misbecomes-it/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [Painting is silent poetry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/painting-is-silent-poetry/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [King Agis said, "The Lacedæmonians are not wont to ask how many, but where the enemy are."](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/king-agis-said-the-laced-monians-are-not-wont-to-ask-how-many-but/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [Alexander wept when he heard from Anaxarchus that there was an infinite number of worlds; and his friends asking him if any accident had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/alexander-wept-when-he-heard-from-anaxarchus-that-there-was-an/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [Proper listening is the foundation of proper living.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/proper-listening-is-the-foundation-of-proper-living/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [Painting is silent poetry, and poetry is painting that speaks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/painting-is-silent-poetry-and-poetry-is-painting-that-speaks/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [Speech is like cloth of Arras opened and put abroad, whereby the imagery doth appear in figure; whereas in thoughts they lie but as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/speech-is-like-cloth-of-arras-opened-and-put-abroad-whereby-the/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [There were two brothers called Both and Either; perceiving Either was a good, understanding, busy fellow, and Both a silly fellow and good for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/there-were-two-brothers-called-both-and-either-perceiving-either-was/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [Why does pouring Oil on the Sea make it Clear and Calm? Is it that the winds, slipping the smooth oil, have no force,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/why-does-pouring-oil-on-the-sea-make-it-clear-and-calm-is-it-that-the/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [This excerpt is presented as reproduced by Copernicus in the preface to De Revolutionibus: "Some think that the earth remains at rest. But Philolaus…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/this-excerpt-is-presented-as-reproduced-by-copernicus-in-the-preface/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [It is part of a good man to do great and noble deeds, though he risk everything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/it-is-part-of-a-good-man-to-do-great-and-noble-deeds-though-he-risk/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [I am whatever was, or is, or will be; and my veil no mortal ever took up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/i-am-whatever-was-or-is-or-will-be-and-my-veil-no-mortal-ever-took-up/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [The pilot cannot mitigate the billows or calm the winds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/the-pilot-cannot-mitigate-the-billows-or-calm-the-winds/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [“In Springtime, O Dionysos, To thy holy temple come, To Elis with thy Graces, Rushing with thy bull-foot, come, Noble Bull, Noble Bull”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/in-springtime-o-dionysos-to-thy-holy-temple-come-to-elis-with-thy/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) [Explore all 451 Plutarch quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) ## More Disgrace quotes > [To what will love not stoop!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-beckett/to-what-will-love-not-stoop/) [Samuel Beckett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-beckett/) > [We will live to see the day that St. Patrick's Cathedral is a child-care center and the pope is no longer a disgrace to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gloria-steinem/we-will-live-to-see-the-day-that-st-patrick-s-cathedral-is-a-child/) [Gloria Steinem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gloria-steinem/) > [Without ... the creative imagination rushing in where bureaucratic angels fear to tread - without this, life is a mockery and a disgrace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-f-schumacher/without-the-creative-imagination-rushing-in-where-bureaucratic-angels/) [E. F. Schumacher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-f-schumacher/) > [Success in war was the only success that counted; failure was a disgrace to be wiped out only by starting another war and winning…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-holland/success-in-war-was-the-only-success-that-counted-failure-was-a/) [Barbara Holland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-holland/) > [“America is the wealthiest nation on Earth, but its people are mainly poor, and poor Americans are urged to hate themselves. To quote the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kurt-vonnegut/america-is-the-wealthiest-nation-on-earth-but-its-people-are-mainly/) [Kurt Vonnegut](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kurt-vonnegut/) > [Miss Wormwood: Calvin, your test was an absolute disgrace! It's obvious you haven't read any of the material. Our first president was not Chef…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-watterson/miss-wormwood-calvin-your-test-was-an-absolute-disgrace-it-s-obvious/) [Bill Watterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-watterson/) > [Losing is no disgrace if you've given your best.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-palmer/losing-is-no-disgrace-if-you-ve-given-your-best/) [Jim Palmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-palmer/) > [My trust in God flows out of the experience of his loving me, day in and day out, whether the day is stormy or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brennan-manning/my-trust-in-god-flows-out-of-the-experience-of-his-loving-me-day-in/) [Brennan Manning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brennan-manning/) > [The people who illegally cross into the country are from countries that have very close ties to al Qaeda, whether it's Yemen or Afghanistan,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-perry/the-people-who-illegally-cross-into-the-country-are-from-countries/) [Rick Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-perry/) > [New York State is upside down and backwards; high taxes and low performance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-cuomo/new-york-state-is-upside-down-and-backwards-high-taxes-and-low/) [Andrew Cuomo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-cuomo/) > [Putting your child into a beauty pageant is a disgrace...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/putting-your-child-into-a-beauty-pageant-is-a-disgrace/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [To him who disgraces his family life is no life, and to such a person there is no one a friend, neither while living…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/to-him-who-disgraces-his-family-life-is-no-life-and-to-such-a-person/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [“The disgrace is not in falling, but in not rising every time you fall.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orison-swett-marden/the-disgrace-is-not-in-falling-but-in-not-rising-every-time-you-fall/) [Orison Swett Marden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orison-swett-marden/) > [Poverty of course is no disgrace, but it is damned annoying.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-pitt/poverty-of-course-is-no-disgrace-but-it-is-damned-annoying/) [William Pitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-pitt/) > [“a little modesty averts disgrace”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bemy-wells/a-little-modesty-averts-disgrace/) [Bemy Wells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bemy-wells/) Browse all 459 Disgrace quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Such power I gave the people as might do, Abridged not what they had, now lavished new, Those that were great in wealth and high in place My counsel likewise kept from all disgrace. 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