One of Shakespeare's enduring insights is that the most dangerous leaders are often those who never question themselves, while the best leaders are those who constantly do.
Malcolm became worthy of the crown precisely because he examined his own faults before seeking power. Macbeth lost himself because he stopped doing so.
Perhaps the lesson for modern politics is that the first qualification for leadership is not ambition, but humility; not certainty, but self-awareness.
As Measure for Measure reminds us:
"Some rise by sin, and some by virtue fall."
The challenge is building institutions that reward the latter rather than the former.
One of Shakespeare's enduring insights is that the most dangerous leaders are often those who never question themselves, while the best leaders are those who constantly do.
Malcolm became worthy of the crown precisely because he examined his own faults before seeking power. Macbeth lost himself because he stopped doing so.
Perhaps the lesson for modern politics is that the first qualification for leadership is not ambition, but humility; not certainty, but self-awareness.
As Measure for Measure reminds us:
"Some rise by sin, and some by virtue fall."
The challenge is building institutions that reward the latter rather than the former.
Indeed. Which is why I value, and wish for a resurgence of, mentoring of the young by the older ones - Wisdom.