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About this quote

What does it mean?
A king mocks a character with crude language.
In plain terms
The king insults someone using bodily terms.
What can you take from it?
Power can be used to humiliate.

Where it applies

  • political rivalry
  • insults

Putting it to work

  • handling insults

Questions to consider

  • How to handle humiliation?
  • What limits power?

Another view

Crude language can be ignored.

More from Jack Vance

  1. It would not do if both of us became addled, and later woke up in doubt as to who was who. - Shimrod

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  2. Dismount and kneel before me, that I may strike off your head with fullest ease. You shall die in this tragic golden light of sunset. - Torqual

    Permalink to quote #36
  3. You have frightened and daunted me. I will stop stealing at once. - Dhrun

    Permalink to quote #33

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