I never learned how to tune a harp, or play upon a lute; but I know how to raise a small and obscure city to glory and greatness...whereto all kindreds of the earth will pilgrim.
ThemistoclesRead
I have with me two gods, Persuasion and Compulsion.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The speaker suggests the balance between influencing others and forcing them to act.
This quote by Themistocles reflects the duality of human influence—persuasion represents gentle, compelling argumentation to sway someone's decisions, while compulsion indicates a forceful approach to ensure compliance. The interplay between these two 'gods' highlights the complexity of leadership and decision-making, where one must navigate the line between convincing others to follow willingly or resorting to more forceful measures.
Themes
PersuasionCompulsionInfluenceLeadershipDecision-Making
In practice
Example use cases
In a leadership seminar discussing the importance of persuasion.
More from Themistocles
All quotes →I cannot fiddle, but I can make a great state from a little city.
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I choose the likely man in preference to the rich man; I want a man without money rather than money without a man.
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He who commands the sea has command of everything.
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