There was a man who was feared and honored by all. He was neither royalty nor was he part of the clergy. He was as Caesar, as Caesar was to Rome. He was a noble man, for he had not any slaves, but hired men.
There was a king. This king was respected by men and kings alike. He was royalty and inherited wealth and power just as his father had forsaken it. Very wise and honorable this king was, and his respect was well-earned.
There was a kingdom and its people. This kingdom was a glorious one indeed, for there were no slaves, but hired men. For generations, this kingdom had peace. They had a beloved and fearsome king as well as a man who was a Caesar as Caesar was to Rome.
The king and the man greeted each other warmly, for they had been friends since childhood. The king admired the man for his intelligence and achievements, and the man appreciated the king for his authenticity and kindness.
The man spoke of his plans to expand his influence, to challenge new rivals and enemies, to make his name feared throughout the world. He beckoned towards glory, to prove his skills and abilities, to create a powerful and dominant force. He asked the king for his support and advice, for he trusted him more than anyone else.
The king listened carefully, but he did not share the man’s vision. He said he valued peace more than fame and fortune. He did not believe in provoking others, in risking lives and resources, in pursuing vain and dangerous goals. He preferred a stable and prosperous life. He asked the man to reconsider his ambitions, for he feared they would lead to conflict and misery.
The man was surprised and disappointed by the king’s words. He thought they had the same goals and ideals, that they wanted the same things for themselves and their people. He tried to persuade the king to join him, to see the benefits and opportunities of his plans, to trust him as a friend and a leader. He needed his friend at his side.
The king was saddened and conflicted by the man’s words. He loved him as a friend and respected him as a leader, but he could not agree with him on this matter. He tried to explain his reasons, to give him perspective, to appeal to his heart and mind. He said he wanted him to be happy, and warned him of his march towards misery.
The conversation grew more heated and tense, as neither of them could convince the other. They argued back and forth, raising their voices and losing their patience. They forgot their friendship and their respect, and only saw their differences and their pride. They became angry and bitter, accusing each other of being foolish and selfish.
They finally reached a point where they could not talk anymore. They stood up from their seats, ready to part ways. The man looked at the king with misguided righteousness and said: “You cannot hope to become what I’ll become.”
The king looked at the man with sorrow and said: “You are a tyrant to your people and yourself. You have corrupted your noble spirit and tainted your motivations. ”
They turned away from each other.
He was as Caesar, as Caesar was to Rome.
But he was no king.