Francois Fenelon Quotes

You can only govern men by serving them. The rule is without exception.

To be a minister means above all to become powerless, or in more precise terms, to speak with our powerlessness to the condition of powerlessness which is so keenly felt but so seldom expressed by the people of our age.

The real leader has no need to lead - he is content to point the way.

I have been given the authority over you, and I am not the best of you. If I do well, help me; and if I do wrong, set me right. Sincere regard for truth.

Among us, who is above must be in service of the others. This doesn't mean we have to wash each other's feet every day, but we must help one another.

I believe in servant leadership, and the servant always asks, 'Where am I needed most?'

I pray to be a good servant to God, a father, a husband, a son, a friend, a brother, an uncle, a good neighbor, a good leader to those who look up to me, a good follower to those who are serving God and doing the right thing.

I think of Pope Gregory the Great. He wanted the cloister. He wanted to pray and study, and yet he was thrust into this administrative job, and he submitted to that. And in that submission, he became a great leader. You could say that the only person who is safe to lead is the person who is free to submit.

The best people to have power are the ones who don't want it.

The purpose of getting power is to be able to give it away.

Few things kill likeability as quickly as arrogance. Likable leaders don't act as though they're better than you because they don't think that they're better than you. Rather than being a source of prestige, they see their leadership position as bringing them additional accountability for serving those who follow them.

It is only imperfection that complains of what is imperfect. The more perfect we are the more gentle and quiet we become towards the defects of others.

Leadership is about being a servant first.

He is the best of men who dislikes power.

A good chief gives, he does not take.

If You are mighty, gain respect through knowledge and gentleness of speech. Do not command except as is fitting.

One of the topics I'm most passionate about is servant leadership - the greatest leaders recognize that they're here to serve, not to be served.

The enemies cannot destroy the king who has at his service the respect and friendship of the wise men who can find fault, disagree, and correct him.

People of power have to show empathy and kindness to the young.

I think every leader must possess vision, and they absolutely have to have a heart of service.

Strength does not make one capable of rule; it makes one capable of service.

I believe that to command is to serve and only gives one the right to serve.

Jesus measured greatness in terms of service not status. God determines your greatness by how many people you serve, not how many people serve you.

The leader sees leadership as responsibility rather than as rank and privilege.

The more you care about the powerless, the more power you have. The more you serve those with no influence, the more influence God gives you. The more you humble yourself, the more you're honored by others.