Human nature and politics are inseparable. Raw, overpowering, and mighty, human nature is the dynamic force that drives political discourse. While Sophocles’ Antigone and Thucydides’ On Justice, Power, and Human Nature appear to be simply two independent works of antiquity, both convey timeless teaching on human nature. These interconnected lessons are relevant in modern political leadership and serve as a guide for moderation, justice, and engagement.
Leadership Requires Moderation
Human nature seeks power. When the pursuit of power becomes excessive, stability and effectiveness in political life are threatened. Sophocles’ Antigone emphasizes the need for moderation—through council and limitation—if effective leadership is to prevail. As leader of the Athenians, Kreon initially recognizes the importance of council when he proclaims, “For anyone who rules the city as a whole and does not hold on to the counsels that are best but keeps a lock fixed on his tongue because of fear, I think that man most evil.”1 Yet, throughout the tragedy, human nature overcomes Kreon as he repeatedly denies council and eventually becomes the “man most evil.”1 Sophocles’ teaching of moderation is further illustrated in the dialogue between Kreon and Antigone. After the war in Thebes, Kreon was desperate to prove himself an authority. The laws he created after the war defied historic …show more content…
These classic works present independent arguments. However, the concluding lesson is the same: engaged citizens must call leaders to moderation and justice. The timeless political wisdom from both authors highlights the flaws of human nature in leadership and yield insight applicable and necessary to modern politics. Citizens must remain vigilant to limit human nature’s overpowering tendencies by moderating leadership and encouraging
Leadership Requires Moderation
Human nature seeks power. When the pursuit of power becomes excessive, stability and effectiveness in political life are threatened. Sophocles’ Antigone emphasizes the need for moderation—through council and limitation—if effective leadership is to prevail. As leader of the Athenians, Kreon initially recognizes the importance of council when he proclaims, “For anyone who rules the city as a whole and does not hold on to the counsels that are best but keeps a lock fixed on his tongue because of fear, I think that man most evil.”1 Yet, throughout the tragedy, human nature overcomes Kreon as he repeatedly denies council and eventually becomes the “man most evil.”1 Sophocles’ teaching of moderation is further illustrated in the dialogue between Kreon and Antigone. After the war in Thebes, Kreon was desperate to prove himself an authority. The laws he created after the war defied historic …show more content…
These classic works present independent arguments. However, the concluding lesson is the same: engaged citizens must call leaders to moderation and justice. The timeless political wisdom from both authors highlights the flaws of human nature in leadership and yield insight applicable and necessary to modern politics. Citizens must remain vigilant to limit human nature’s overpowering tendencies by moderating leadership and encouraging