The more I loved the king, the more I opposed his injustice until his brow fell lowering upon me. He heaped calumny after calumny on my head, and I chose to be driven out rather than to subscribe.
Interpretation
True love for a leader involves standing against their wrongdoings, even at personal cost.
In this quote, Thomas Becket illustrates the tension between loyalty and morality. He expresses that his deep love for the king compelled him to oppose the injustices committed by the king, emphasizing that true loyalty sometimes requires standing up against authority, even when it leads to personal sacrifice or punishment. Becket's choice to face exile rather than condone wrongful acts speaks to the strength of one's convictions and the importance of integrity in the face of power.
In practice
In a speech about standing up for what is right, you might use this quote to emphasize the importance of integrity.
It is important that the Church of London, which has now lost its ruler, should receive for its new bishop a man whose personal merit, attainments in learning, and prudence in managing public business shall not be unworthy of the dignity of that see.
I am ready to die for my Lord, that in my blood the Church may obtain liberty and peace.
Could I anticipate the enmity of those for whom I encountered such opposition? If they had been willing, I should have gained the victory. But the head faints when it is abandoned by the other members. If they had been wise they would have seen that in attacking me they were attacking their own privileges and serving princes to their own servitude.
Whosoever wisely examines the works of God will speedily discover what is next to be done.
The rashness of the persecutor hath overspread the rights of the persecuted so that punishment is awarded to him that has gained the victory, the inglorious triumphs, and the man who deserved bonds has carried off the prize.
In truth, we have delayed to pass sentence on the person of our lord the king, waiting, if perhaps he may, by God's grace, repent; but we will pass it ere long unless he does repent.
What the Anzac legend did do, by the bravery and sacrifice of our troops, was reinforce our own cultural notions of independence, mateship, and ingenuity. Of resilience and courage in adversity.
Do not be afraid of defeat. You are never so near victory as when you are defeated in a good cause.
I spoke without fear of contradiction. I simply did not suffer self-doubt.
It's not the moutain we conquer but ourselves.
What's important is that, when you're tested, you stand firm against the violent activities of those who would try to plunge our people back into the misery of the past.
When you compare what people endured in the South in the 60s to try to get the right to vote for African Americans, and to compare what people were subjected to there to what happened in Philadelphia - which was inappropriate, certainly that . . . to describe it in those terms I think does a great disservice to people who put their lives on the line, who risked all, for my people.
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