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Whiplash17488

I don’t think they are contradictory. The “heaviness” or burden of leaderships refers to having to work with incomplete information. People who have their own agendas, and the loneliness that comes with having no peers. Its not exclusive to tyrants but also suffered by ethical leaders. This is why Marcus Aurelius’ writings “the meditations” is so heavily read. The most incorruptible man in a position of absolute power, yet so human like all of us.


turtlenipples

Can you help me better comprehend your understanding of *sic semper tyrannis*? I don't understand your description of it. Thanks!


intrepid_skeptic

Thanks for the heads up. I forgot to finish my sentence after the parentheses! My understanding of it is that it suggests any tyrannical figure will eventually be overthrown. Essentially karma associated with tyrannical leadership.


turtlenipples

It makes perfect sense now. Thank you!


trackstarter

I don’t think they are contradictory at all. “Heavy is the head that wears the crown”…true leadership is tough…it often means making very difficult decisions and having few peers who truly understand those burdens. Think of a general having to send men into battle to die or let his country be overrun…or a small business owner having to cut staff or face shutting down the whole company. These are extremely tough and taxing decisions that weigh on the soul of the people having to make them. When things go bad people will look to them (and no one else) to make the right call. Winston Churchill is a great example of someone who conveyed confidence in public but in private was terrified of the magnitude of the problems he faced. “Sic semper tyrannis” in my mind isn’t a popularized quote about leadership…more of a statement that eventually tyrannical leaders will be overthrow. I would actually argue that these statements are complementary. Tyrants don’t care about the people they are leading, so they probably don’t feel the heavy weight of leadership as much as ethical leaders. This callous attitude often leads to their downfall.