The ministers of kings should learn to moderate their ambition. The higher they elevate themselves above their proper sphere, the greater the danger that they will fall.
Louis XivRead
My child, you are going to be a great king; do not imitate me in the taste I have had for building, or in that I have had for war; try, on the contrary, to be at peace with your neighbors.
Interpretation
What this quote means
A parent advises their child to pursue peace rather than war and to create their own legacy.
In this quote from Louis XIV, a fatherly figure expresses hope and confidence in their child's potential to be a great leader. He emphasizes the importance of forging a unique path in leadership, urging the child to avoid his own past predilections for war and grand constructions, advocating instead for peaceful relations with others. This reflects a deeper wisdom about the values of harmony and collaboration over conflict and competition.
Themes
LeadershipPeaceWisdomLegacyRelations
In practice
Example use cases
During a speech on diplomacy, one could quote this to emphasize the importance of peaceful negotiations.
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Every time I appoint someone to a vacant position, I make a hundred unhappy and one ungrateful.
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