A prince ... is only the first servant of the state, who is obliged to act with probity and prudence.... As the sovereign is properly the head of a family of citizens, the father of his people, he ought on all occasions to be the last refuge of the unfortunate.

Frederick The Great
About This Quote

In a quote by Saint-Simon, a French statesman, historian and author, the words "a prince ... is only the first servant of the state ... he ought on all occasions to be the last refuge of the unfortunate" address both how a government treats its people and how a person should treat those around him or her. In this case, the prince/state is supposed to look out for those in need as an example, as well as providing a safe haven from those who might attack citizens from those in need.

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