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About this quote

What does it mean?
The king is portrayed as someone whose words cannot be trusted, speaking wisely but acting foolishly.
In plain terms
The king speaks smart words but does dumb things.
What can you take from it?
Authority figures may say wise things but act foolishly.

Where it applies

  • critiquing political leaders
  • discussing reliability

Putting it to work

  • questioning leader consistency
  • evaluating public trust

Questions to consider

  • Do leaders speak and act differently?
  • When can we trust authority?

Another view

The quote offers a generalization about a specific monarch without context on which king.

More from John, 2nd Earl of Rochester Wilmot

  1. But a meek humble Man of modest Sense, Who, Preaching Peace, does practice Continence; Whose pious life's a proof he does believe, Mysterious Truths, which no …

    Permalink to quote #29
  2. And ever since the Conquest have been fools.

    Permalink to quote #31
  3. Most Men are Cowards, all Men should be Knaves. The Difference lies, as far as I can see, Not in the thing it self, but the Degree.

    Permalink to quote #28

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