John Grassby Selfeulogy by a Minor King in Present Day Ireland

“Passage at Knowth” by Denise Labadie

Self-eulogy by a minor king in present day Ireland, prior to arrival of the first Celtic tribes. Circa 5,000 BC.

By John Grassby

I am the all-knowing, all-powerful King Knowth, the mightiest of the mighty. None dared challenge me or my realm during all the days of my celebrated rule. Based on the wisest, most completecode of human conduct ever conceived, the legacy of my reign shall endure as a shining example of what can be accomplished when mind aligns with leadership of the Gods with whom I, alone among all kings, spoke daily.

This is the final day of my gloriouslife and the day of my interment in my burial mound here in Boynth Valley, in a land close to the retreating Great Ice, to which the world’s most robust, most resourceful, most resilient people have always been drawn and have lived and thrived. The worldwill sadly witness my passing, but will also rejoice in the passing on of my legacy to the world.

Eventually, inevitably, my legacy will be deemed no longer relevant, no longer in harmony with the prevailing beliefs and practices of the day, unable to keep pace with the actions and passions of the times. It will be said that history has overtaken the wisdom of the past, making it no longer wise, an anachronism of minimal value.

But my legacy is not so vain as to speak of all things for all men for all times. Instead, it is limited to how best to rule, given man’s seemingly ever predictable vagaries and caprices:

Concerningconflicts within the realm for which the king is the ultimate arbiter, know that man is seldom angry for the reasons given, or even at the one against whom his ire appears to be directed. Unearth the angry party’s real reasons—his own fears, errors, stupidity, among

others—then identify the real party at blame—often the angry party himself—and most conflict self-resolves.

Requireall in the realm, starting with the king, to take responsibility and be held accountable for their words and actions.

Competition strengthens, but inspire cooperation equally as it achieves more for the realm and its people than unchecked rivalries.

To survive trying times, to effect all manner of healing for all within the realm, including the king; to put life’s nonsense into context; to discredit and oust tyrants, nothing is more valuable or more powerful than humor and ribald laughter.

Anything is possible. Every sunrise brings unlimited new options, perspectives, ways to start anew. Most major change occurs quickly, irreversibly, with little warning.

To reach the inner tomb, my burial mound has a narrow and arduous passageway making it difficult for any other than the one for whom it is intended to reach final respite in the innermost chamber.

Other burial mounds preceded mine, but these belonged to lesser kings than I whose reigns reflected their internal faults and soon fell to pointless bickering and self-destruction.

I endeavored to learn from and not repeat such mistakes and believe I succeeded. But, without the luxury of perspective, certainty is elusive. Not knowing in this lifetime the ultimate outcomes—for better for worse—ofour cherished endeavors is one of life’s cruelties, or, maybe one of its blessings. Years hence, if these words are remembered, the worthof my thinking may by then be known and judged accordingly. If judgment is unfavorable, I seek only acknowledgement that I caused more good than harm and did the best I could with what I had at the time.

Men will always require kings, or leaders by other names. In closing, then, I dare to personally advise such future leaders: Rule with absolute integrity, your single most important and powerful attribute, but also the one most quickly and easily compromised. Never permit individual shortcomings—every man, every king, has them—to be reflected in your public policies. When you err—an eventual certainty—admit it and make amends. Accept that even your very best will seldom be good enough. Acknowledge that even great heroes, including thee and me, have feetof clay. Beware of amassing too much power—the greater the power the greater the likelihood of corruption. Leadership is all-consuming and exhausting making constant personal replenishment vital.

And now, present and future kings, the time is nigh forme to enter and travel through my private passageway to the next dimension. Until we meet again in the unknown and limitless future to build more towers in the sky and bring yetmore enlightened rule to our realms, Godspeed.