The kingdom of God is the only absolute monarchy that is free from despotism.
—Charles Simmons (1924–2017) American Editor, Novelist
It is hard for an ex-king to become a night watchman.
—Indian Proverb
A king’s castle is his home.
—Common Proverb
Kings have no friends.
—African Proverb
Majesty and love do not consort well together, nor do they dwell in the same place.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso) (c.43 BCE–c.18 CE) Roman Poet
If your job is to leaven ordinary lives with elevating spectacle, be elevating or be gone.
—George Will (b.1941) American Columnist, Journalist, Writer
Wise kings generally have wise counsellors; and he must be a wise man himself who is capable of distinguishing one.
—Diogenes Laertius (f.3rd Century CE) Biographer of the Greek Philosophers
In sovereignty it is a most happy thing not to be compelled, but so it is a most miserable thing not to be counselled.
—Ben Jonson (1572–1637) English Dramatist, Poet, Actor
Kings fight for empires, madmen for applause.
—John Dryden (1631–1700) English Poet, Literary Critic, Playwright
A man without a child is a king without sorrows.
—Persian Proverb
Picture the prince, such as most of them are today: a man ignorant of the law, well-nigh an enemy to his people’s advantage, while intent on his personal convenience, a dedicated voluptuary, a hater of learning, freedom and truth, without a thought for the interests of his country, and measuring everything in terms of his own profit and desires.
—Desiderius Erasmus (c.1469–1536) Dutch Humanist, Scholar
What are kings, when regiment is gone, but perfect shadows in a sunshine day?
—Christopher Marlowe (1564–93) English Playwright, Poet, Translator
It is easy to govern a kingdom but difficult to rule one’s family.
—Chinese Proverb
Even the king does not dine twice.
—French Proverb
A family on the throne is an interesting idea. It brings down the pride of sovereignty to the level of petty life.
—Walter Bagehot (1826–77) English Economist, Journalist
The people are fashioned according to the example of their king; and edicts are of less power than the model which his life exhibits.
—Claudian (c.370–c.404 CE) Roman Poet
A cat may look at a king.
—Common Proverb
Kings have many ears and eyes.
—Common Proverb
A good soldier has only three things to think about; the king, God, and nothing.
—German Proverb
The word of the king is the king of words.
—Arabic Proverb
Everyone likes flattery; and when you come to Royalty you should lay it on with a trowel.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
Divine right of kings means the divine right of anyone who can get uppermost.
—Herbert Spencer (1820–1903) English Polymath, Philosopher, Sociologist, Political Theorist
Aspect are within us, and who seems most kingly is king.
—Thomas Hardy (1840–1928) English Novelist, Poet
After the game the King and pawn go into the same box.
—Italian Proverb
They say that kings are made in the image of God. If that is what he looks like, I feel sorry for God.
—Frederick II of Prussia (1712–86) Prussian Monarch
Happy the kings whose thrones are founded on their people’s hearts.
—John M. Ford (1957–2006) American Novelist, Writer, Poet
One of the strongest natural proofs of the folly of hereditary right in kings is, that nature disapproves it; otherwise she would not so frequently turn it into ridicule by giving mankind an ass in place of a lion.
—Thomas Paine (1737–1809) American Nationalist, Author, Pamphleteer, Radical, Inventor
The example of a vicious prince will corrupt an age, but that of a good one will not reform it.
—Jonathan Swift (1667–1745) Irish Satirist
Like all the best families, we have our share of eccentricities, of impetuous and wayward youngsters and of family disagreements.
—Queen Elizabeth II (1926–2022) Queen of United Kingdom
I’d like to be queen of people’s hearts.
—Diana, Princess of Wales (1961–97) English Royal, Humanitarian, Peace Activist