← “if I ordered,” he would often say, “If I ordered a general to change himself into a sea-bird and the general didn’t obey, that wouldn’t be the general’s fault. It would be my fault.” 🔊✎
← “And the stars obey you?” 🔊✎
← “Of course,” said the king. “They obey me at once. I do not tolerate indiscipline.” 🔊✎
← “If I ordered a general to flit from one flower to another like a butterfly, or to write a tragedy, or to change himself into a sea-bird, and the general didn’t obey the order he’d received, whose fault would it be, his or mine?” 🔊✎
← Hm! Hm! That will be, around… around… that will be around twenty to eight. And you will see how promptly I am obeyed.” 🔊✎
← “If Your Majesty desires to be obeyed faithfully, he should give me a reasonable order. 🔊✎