--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: At one time kings were anointed by Deity…" description: "\"At one time kings were anointed by Deity, so the problem was to see to it that Deity chose the right candidate. In this age the myth is 'the will of th..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f6c/robert-a-heinlein-209_age_at-one-time-kings-were-anointed-by-deity_1220122.jpg" --- # At one time kings were anointed by Deity, so the problem… ![“At one time kings were anointed by Deity, so the problem was to see to it that Deity chose the right candidate. In this age the myth is 'the will of the people' ... but the problem changes only superficially.” quote by Robert A. Heinlein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f6c/robert-a-heinlein-209_age_at-one-time-kings-were-anointed-by-deity_1220122.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f6c/robert-a-heinlein-209_age_at-one-time-kings-were-anointed-by-deity_1220122.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f6c/robert-a-heinlein-209_age_at-one-time-kings-were-anointed-by-deity_1220122.jpg) > “At one time kings were anointed by Deity, so the problem was to see to it that Deity chose the right candidate. In this age the myth is 'the will of the people' ... but the problem changes only superficially.” [Robert A. Heinlein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-a-heinlein/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Political legitimacy shifts from divine right to popular will, yet underlying power dynamics stay similar. **In simple terms:** Power changes name, not nature. Key Takeaway Question the true source of authority. Themes politics legitimacy power Mood critical analytical Type philosophical political When to use this quote - elections - activism - policy reform Key Concepts political theory history social contract Questions to Reflect On - Who truly decides leadership? - How can citizens ensure genuine representation? A Different Perspective Popular will can be manipulated by elites. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Age](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/age/) [Anointed Deity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/anointed-deity-3732874/) [Candidates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/candidates/) [Deities](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deities/) [Deity Chose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deity-chose-3732870/) [Deity Problem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deity-problem-3732873/) [Kings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kings/) [Kings Anointed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kings-anointed-3732871/) [Myth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/myth/) [One time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/one-time/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Problem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/problem/) [Problem Deity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/problem-deity-3732872/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [“Manuel, I don’t think the situation is as bad as you seem to feel that it is. 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