Looking at a king’s mouth one would never think he sucked his mother’s breast.
—African Proverb
The best reason why Monarchy is a strong government is, that it is an intelligible government. The mass of mankind understand it, and they hardly anywhere in the world understand any other.
—Walter Bagehot (1826–77) English Economist, Journalist
If the king says that it is night in the middle of the day, look up at the stars.
—Arabic Proverb
The silence of the people is a warning for the king.
—French Proverb
It is hard for an ex-king to become a night watchman.
—Indian Proverb
We treat our people like royalty. If you honor and serve the people who work for you, they will honor and serve you.
—Mary Kay Ash (1918–2001) American Entrepreneur, Businessperson
Happy the kings whose thrones are founded on their people’s hearts.
—John M. Ford (1957–2006) American Novelist, Writer, Poet
All precepts concerning kings are comprehended in these: remember thou art a man; remember thou art God’s vicegerent.
—Francis Bacon (1561–1626) English Philosopher
An unjust king is like a river without water.
—Arabic Proverb
Steal goods and you’ll go to prison, steal lands and you are a king.
—Japanese Proverb
Water for oxen, wine for kings.
—Spanish Proverb
Kings, in this chiefly, should imitate God; their mercy should be above all their works.
—William Penn (1644–1718) American Entrepreneur, Political leader, Philosopher
Picture the prince, such as most of them are today: a man ignorant of the law, well-nigh an enemy to his people’s advantage, while intent on his personal convenience, a dedicated voluptuary, a hater of learning, freedom and truth, without a thought for the interests of his country, and measuring everything in terms of his own profit and desires.
—Desiderius Erasmus (c.1469–1536) Dutch Humanist, Scholar
Kings wish to be absolute, and they are sometimes told that their best way to become so is to make themselves beloved by the people. This maxim is doubtless a very admirable one, and in some respects true; but unhappily it is laughed at in court.
—Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712–78) Swiss-born French Philosopher
Everyone likes flattery; and when you come to Royalty you should lay it on with a trowel.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
Kings’ titles commonly begin by force, which time wears off and mellows into right; and power which in one age is tyranny is ripened in the next to true succession.
—John Dryden (1631–1700) English Poet, Literary Critic, Playwright
In sovereignty it is a most happy thing not to be compelled, but so it is a most miserable thing not to be counselled.
—Ben Jonson (1572–1637) English Dramatist, Poet, Actor
A family on the throne is an interesting idea. It brings down the pride of sovereignty to the level of petty life.
—Walter Bagehot (1826–77) English Economist, Journalist
Hunger is felt by slave and king alike.
—African Proverb
A sovereign’s great example forms a people; the public breast is noble or vile as he inspires it.
—David Mallet (c.1705–1765) Scottish Poet, Dramatist
I am every day more convinced that we women, if we are to be good women, feminine and amiable and domestic, are not fitted to reign; at least it is they that drive themselves to the work which it entails.
—Queen Victoria (1819–1901) British Royal
A good soldier has only three things to think about; the king, God, and nothing.
—German Proverb
A man without a child is a king without sorrows.
—Persian Proverb
The king is but a man, as I am; the violet smells to him as it doth to me; the element shows to him as it doth to me; all his senses have but human conditions; his ceremonies laid by, in his nakedness he appears but a man; and though his affections are higher mounted than ours, yet when they stoop, they stoop with the like wing.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
If a child washes his hands he could eat with kings.
—African Proverb
Every man is the king of his own beard.
—Persian Proverb
Kings have many ears and eyes.
—Common Proverb
Aspect are within us, and who seems most kingly is king.
—Thomas Hardy (1840–1928) English Novelist, Poet
Don’t forget your great guns, which are the most respectable arguments of the rights of kings.
—Frederick II of Prussia (1712–86) Prussian Monarch
The king goes as far as he may, not as far as he could.
—Spanish Proverb
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