--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Thou knowest how long and loyally I…" description: "\"Thou knowest how long and loyally I served the king in his worldly affairs. For that cause, it pleased him to promote me to the office which now I hold..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/923/thomas-becket-22090_alone_thou-knowest-how-long-and-loyally-i-serv_800795.jpg" --- # Thou knowest how long and loyally I served the king in his… ![“Thou knowest how long and loyally I served the king in his worldly affairs. For that cause, it pleased him to promote me to the office which now I hold. When I consented, it was for the sake of the king alone. When I was elected, I was formally acquitted of my responsibilities for all that I had…” quote by Thomas Becket](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/923/thomas-becket-22090_alone_thou-knowest-how-long-and-loyally-i-serv_800795.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/923/thomas-becket-22090_alone_thou-knowest-how-long-and-loyally-i-serv_800795.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/923/thomas-becket-22090_alone_thou-knowest-how-long-and-loyally-i-serv_800795.jpg) > “Thou knowest how long and loyally I served the king in his worldly affairs. For that cause, it pleased him to promote me to the office which now I hold. When I consented, it was for the sake of the king alone. When I was elected, I was formally acquitted of my responsibilities for all that I had done as a chancellor.” [Thomas Becket](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-becket/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A servant of the king claims his loyalty and promotions are solely for the king’s benefit, absolving personal responsibility. **In simple terms:** He says his service is only for the king. Key Takeaway Distinguish duty from personal ambition. Themes loyalty service politics Mood reflective serious Type historical philosophical When to use this quote - court service - political office - ethical dilemmas - public service Key Concepts ethics authority Questions to Reflect On - What motivates true loyalty? - Can duty be truly selfless? A Different Perspective Self‑interest may be hidden behind loyalty. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Acquitted Responsibilities](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acquitted-responsibilities-6131652/) [Alone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alone/) [Done](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/done/) [Elected Formally](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/elected-formally-6131651/) [King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/king/) [King Elected](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/king-elected-6131653/) [Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/long/) [Responsibilities Chancellor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/responsibilities-chancellor-6131650/) [Responsibility](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/responsibility/) [Served King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/served-king-613439/) [Thou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thou/) ## Related quotes > [Had I but served my God with half the zeal I served my king, he would not in mine age have left me naked…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/had-i-but-served-my-god-with-half-the-zeal-i-served-my-king-he-would/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [“I forgot that I was the son of kings, and served their king”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/the-hymn-of-the-pearl/i-forgot-that-i-was-the-son-of-kings-and-served-their-king/) [The Hymn of the Pearl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/the-hymn-of-the-pearl/) > [Yes, thou art ever present, power divine; not circumscribed by time, nor fixed by space, confined to altars, nor to temples bound. 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