Skip to content
quotesby

About this quote

What does it mean?
The speaker regrets a stagnant life ruling over an uncomprehending people.
In plain terms
Being king of a sleeping land feels pointless.
What can you take from it?
Seek meaningful engagement.

Where it applies

  • leadership roles
  • career stagnation
  • personal dissatisfaction

Putting it to work

  • seek impact
  • connect deeply
  • evaluate role

Questions to consider

  • Is your work meaningful?
  • Are you connected?

Another view

The view assumes a lack of understanding rather than complexity.

More from Alfred (Lord) Tennyson

  1. Comes a vapour from the margin, blackening over heath and holt, Cramming all the blast before it, in its breast a thunderbolt. Let it fall on Locksley Hall, wi…

    Permalink to quote #108
  2. I cannot rest from travel: I will drink Life to the lees: all times I have enjoy'd Greatly, have suffer'd greatly, both with those That loved me, and alone, on…

    Permalink to quote #110
  3. Thro' the shadow of the globe we sweep into the younger day: Better fifty years of Europe than a cycle of Cathay.

    Permalink to quote #107

Related quotes

  1. 'They're mostly foreigners, Mr. Merrick, who haven't yet fully mastered the English language. But,' he added, thoughtfully, 'a few among them might subscribe, …

    L. Frank BaumL. Frank Baum quote #50
  2. They're changing guard at Buckingham Palace - Christopher Robin went down with Alice. They've great big parties inside the grounds. 'I wouldn't be king for a h…

    A. A. MilneA. A. Milne quote #1
  3. Those who love to be feared fear to be loved, and they themselves are more afraid than anyone, for whereas other men fear only them, they fear everyone.

    Francis de SalesFrancis de Sales quote #1