Kings are not born: they are made by universal hallucination.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Leadership is a social construct based on collective belief rather than innate superiority.
- In plain terms
- Kings exist because we all pretend they are special.
- What can you take from it?
- Recognize authority as a shared illusion.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Why do we follow certain leaders?
- Is authority real or agreed upon?
Another view
Some leaders earn legitimacy through competence.
More from George Bernard Shaw
Every man over forty is a scoundrel.
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