Forbade to wade through slaughter to a throne, And shut the gates of mercy on mankind.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Power is denied to those who would gain it through violence, closing mercy off from humanity.
- In plain terms
- You cannot reach power by killing people, and doing so removes mercy from the world.
- What can you take from it?
- Violence to gain power destroys mercy for everyone.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Is power ever worth violence?
- Can mercy exist after slaughter?
Another view
History shows some violent rulers still gain power and mercy.
More from Thomas Gray
To scatter plenty o'er a smiling land, And read their hist'ry in a nation's eyes.
Permalink to quote #34 Far from the madding crowd's ignoble strife, Their sober wishes never learned to stray; Along the cool sequestered vale of life They kept the noiseless tenor o…
Permalink to quote #36 Some village Hampden, that with dauntless breast The little Tyrant of his fields withstood; Some mute inglorious Milton here may rest, Some Cromwell guiltless …
Permalink to quote #33
Related quotes
[Alan Cranston] understood power not as a reflection of status but as a tool with a purpose.' - Sen. Joseph Biden December 31, 2000 on Meet the Press
Alan CranstonAlan Cranston quote #1 WITH GREAT POWER THERE MUST ALSO COME - - GREAT RESPONSIBILITY!
Stan LeeStan Lee quote #1 The problem of power is how to achieve its responsible use rather than its irresponsible and indulgent use - of how to get men of power to live for the public …
Robert F. KennedyRobert F. Kennedy quote #1