The Letter of Aristeas, a fascinating text purportedly written in the 2nd century BCE, gives us some food for thought on just that.
The text recounts the story of how the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible, came to be. But tucked within this historical account are some real gems of wisdom.
In one particular passage, the author relays advice given to a king, and it's striking in its simplicity and its demand for self-awareness.
The king is told, essentially, to always be mindful of his position. "Look always to your own fame and your own supreme position," the advisor urges, "that you may speak and think only such things as are consistent therewith, knowing that all your subjects think and talk about you."
Heavy stuff. Imagine living under that kind of constant scrutiny!
It’s a reminder that leadership isn’t just about power; it’s about responsibility. Every word, every action, is amplified and interpreted. And it's not enough to just appear regal.
The advisor drives the point home with a compelling analogy: "For you must not appear to be worse than the actors, who study carefully the role, which it is necessary for them to play, and shape all their actions in accordance with it." Actors meticulously craft their performances, striving for authenticity even within a fictional context. The king, however, isn’t acting. "You are not acting a part, but are really a king, since God has bestowed upon you a royal authority in keeping with your character."
In other words, the king's behavior should be a natural extension of his inherent qualities, his middot, or character traits. His actions must stem from a place of genuine integrity, reflecting the divine trust placed in him.
So, what does this mean for us, who likely aren’t monarchs?
Perhaps it’s a call to consider the roles we play in our own lives. Are we acting in accordance with our values? Are we mindful of the impact we have on those around us? Maybe we all have a little bit of "king" or "queen" in us, in the sense that our actions carry weight, our words have influence, and our character shapes the world around us. What kind of a world are we building?