I have a wife, I have sons: all of them hostages given to fate.
LucanRead
Among those who share a throne there can be no loyalty; Dominion's ever impatient consort.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Power and loyalty cannot coexist among peers who are equally powerful.
This quote suggests that in situations where multiple individuals share power or a position of authority, true loyalty among them cannot exist. The dynamics of power create an environment of suspicion and competition, leading to a lack of trust and allegiance, as each individual is aware of the other's ambitions and capabilities.
Themes
PowerLoyaltyAuthorityTrustCompetition
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about the challenges of leadership during a corporate seminar.
More from Lucan
All quotes βThe gods conceal from men the happiness of death, that they may endure life.
LucanRead
Similar quotes
But as a Scot with a lifelong love of Scotland and the arts, I believe the opportunity of independence is too good to miss. Simply put there is no more creative an act than creating a new nation.
Sean ConneryRead
Have you never been moved by poor men's fidelity, the image of you they form in their simple minds? Why should you always talk of their envy, without understanding that what they ask of you is not so much your worldly goods, as something very hard to define, which they themselves can put no name to; yet at times it consoles their loneliness; a dream of splendor, of magnificence, a tawdry dream, a poor man's dream -and yet God blesses it!
Georges BernanosRead
Who is there that can adequately gauge the greatness of the humility, gentleness, self-surrender, revealed by the Lord of majesty in assuming human nature, in accepting the punishment of death, the shame of the cross?
Saint BernardRead
The hearing that is only in the ears is one thing. The hearing of the understanding is another. But the hearing of the spirit is not limited to any one faculty to the ear, or to the mind.
ZhuangziRead
In the uttermost meaning of the words, thought is devout, and devotion is thought. Deep calls unto deep.
Ralph Waldo EmersonRead
I know there is a Supreme Being who rules the affairs of men and whose goodness and mercy have always followed the American people, and I know He will not turn from us now if we humbly and reverently seek His powerful aid.
Grover ClevelandRead