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When the king is naked

11/10/2011

2 Comments

 
Picture

When you find that the King is naked – and there are all kinds of them, of first, second and third rate - do not exclaim: 

“He has no clothes on him! No clothes!”

Do not ask why he is naked.

Instead, ask yourself and inquire with prudence: why is it that no one says "He is naked!"?  Why don't they tell him? 

This must be a lonely king. Maybe he does not understand that a king needs someone to tell him the things he does not see or like, but should know anyway. Maybe he does not know how to use advice or is incapable to listen. Probably he is unable to keep a trusted adviser, or a fool to dare tell him the urgent truth.  

Second thought, this folk do not seem to find a way o speak to their king; are they afraid or just awkward? They may need to find a clever way to tell him or to let him know without words. There are means to help people speak to their kings.

Finally, this may be a bad king who deserves to be left naked. In this last case, keep your tongue, remember: don’t do the wrong thing right!

When a king is naked there is judgment to use.


2 Comments
Daniel Tenner link
18/10/2011 06:25:41 pm

I find this is a particularly useful wisdom for business. Clients often hire you to do a specific something for them. It is the mark of an amateur to walk into the office of a client (who has been in business for 20 years) and start pointing out things that are wrong, particularly when those things are far outside the remit of the engagement.

It is difficult for one who loves to correct, but unwanted advice will not be welcome, will sour the relationship, will lead to trouble.

In real life, the child who pointed out the king was naked was probably hanged outside the city walls along with his parents, to make a good example...

Reply
John Mukiri link
10/1/2021 08:06:39 pm

Probably, the king is not surrounded by friends but individuals who want him fail.

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