the sword of damocles
Once upon a time there was a king named Dionysius I the Elder, ruler of Syracuse. At that time the city was Greek and the most important of the great island of Sicily.
He lived in a sumptuous palace where riches abounded, especially for works of art, luxury, exquisite and fine cuisine, beautiful women and the refinement of the courtiers.
It also had servants and slaves willing to meet its minimum requirements. There were many people who envied him for the power he wielded and for his incalculable fortune.
One of them was Damocles, a courtier who dedicated himself to intrigue, leisure, and especially to envy his king, one of his best friends.
-How lucky you are; you have everything a human being can aspire to! I doubt that there is someone happier than you-, she used to repeat to him.
Dionisio, who suffered from many defects, did hate envy and was bored with hearing the apparent flattery day after day, which was a veiled expression of resentment.
“Really, Damocles, do you think I’m happier than the rest?”
Damocles, who thought that happiness consisted in having and in power, replied:
-Yes, I really believe that you are not only the happiest of us, but also the happiest in the world.
If you like this so much, why don’t we switch places for a day?
-Only in dreams I had thought, my king. Yes, I would love to enjoy your pleasures and riches even if it’s just for a day and like you, not have any worries.
-It’s okay. Let’s change; you will be the king and I will be the courtier; but only for one day.
So they agreed for the next day. The court and the servants agreed to treat Damocles as if he were the king. They placed the crown of gold and diamonds and put the royal mantle on him.
Damocles was served in the banquet hall, the best wines and the most delicious food. Listening to the music, dedicated to him, feeling flattered and admired, he couldn’t help but think that he was the happiest man in the world.
“This really is life,” he said to the king, who was sitting at the other end of the table. I am enjoying like never before.
Drinking the best of wines in a golden cup, he looked up. What was she hanging from above, an object whose tip almost touched her head? Above his head hung a sharp sword, tied to the ceiling by a thin thread. The brightness of it almost prevented him from seeing.
His hands were shaking so badly that he spilled some of the contents of his glass. As best he could, he silenced the music and only with his eyes disdained the rich delicacies that were being served to him.
He did not dare to run away, although it was his only desire. He was terrified to even move his eyebrows. The thread was too thin; a little rocking was enough for it to cut and burrow into her head.
“Friend, what’s wrong with you?” Dionisio asked. -It gives the impression that nothing interests you. You silenced the music, spilled the glass of wine and even lost your appetite.
Can’t you see the sword hanging by a thread above me? Damocles asked.
Yes, of course I see it. It always hangs over my head. I see her every moment. There is always the danger that it will fall, not only due to its own weight, but that the thread will be cut by someone. It may be an adviser envious of my power who wants to assassinate me. It can also be someone who wants to overthrow me by spreading lies against me. It may happen that a neighboring kingdom comes to attack us, kills me to take away my throne and thus extend its power. Also, I can make a mistake in some of my decisions and this causes my fall.
-Look Damocles-, continued the king, -if you want to be a monarch, you have to be willing to accept these risks that are part of power.
Damocles, very scared, hardly dared to answer. He saw the sword and choked with fear.
My King, now I see that I was wrong. Besides wealth, power and fame, you have a lot to do, a lot to think about. Please take your place and let me go home. That is my highest wish.
Damocles, as he left the palace, with his step more and more firm, running and even almost flying, the only thing he wanted was to hug his simple wife and value his interiority. He intended to do the same with his son.
Now he was going to instill in them with his own testimony of life, that values are not based on power or having.
Moral: The sword of Damocles is a phrase coined in allusion to this story to exemplify the insecurity in which those who hold great power are installed, because not only can they lose it suddenly, but everything else, including life.
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