Could I anticipate the enmity of those for whom I encountered such opposition? If they had been willing, I should have gained the victory. But the head faints when it is abandoned by the other members. If they had been wise they would have seen that in attacking me they were attacking their own privileges and serving princes to their own servitude.
Interpretation
The quote reflects on the consequences of opposition and the folly of attacking one's own interests.
Thomas Becket's quote delves into the dynamics of conflict and cooperation, suggesting that when individuals or groups oppose others without understanding the bigger picture, they ultimately harm their own interests. Becket highlights how unity and wisdom are essential for true success, and that those who fail to see the interconnectedness of their actions risk serving oppressive powers at the expense of their own freedoms.
In practice
In a speech about collaborative efforts in the workplace, one might use this quote to emphasize the importance of unity.
It is important that the Church of London, which has now lost its ruler, should receive for its new bishop a man whose personal merit, attainments in learning, and prudence in managing public business shall not be unworthy of the dignity of that see.
I am ready to die for my Lord, that in my blood the Church may obtain liberty and peace.
The more I loved the king, the more I opposed his injustice until his brow fell lowering upon me. He heaped calumny after calumny on my head, and I chose to be driven out rather than to subscribe.
Whosoever wisely examines the works of God will speedily discover what is next to be done.
The rashness of the persecutor hath overspread the rights of the persecuted so that punishment is awarded to him that has gained the victory, the inglorious triumphs, and the man who deserved bonds has carried off the prize.
In truth, we have delayed to pass sentence on the person of our lord the king, waiting, if perhaps he may, by God's grace, repent; but we will pass it ere long unless he does repent.
The Pythagoreans degrade impious men into brutes and, if one is to believe Empedocles, even into plants.
I loved when Bush came out and said, 'We are losing the war against drugs.' You know what that implies? There's a war being fought, and the people on drugs are winning it.
I haven't any language weak enough to depict the weakness of my spiritual life. If I weakened it enough it would cease to be language at all. As when you try to turn the gas-ring a little lower still, and it merely goes out.
He (the sage) wants all things to follow their own nature, but dares not act.
Our government's got a war on drugs. That's certainly better than no drugs at all.
To offer no resistance to life is to be in a state of grace, ease, and lightness. This state is then no longer dependent upon things being in a certain way, good or bad. It seems almost paradoxical, yet when your inner dependency on form is gone, the general conditions of your life, the outer forms, tend to improve greatly.
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