Saying 81: Let the Powerful Renounce
Let whoever has become rich reign, and let whoever has power renounce it.
Commentary
The riches meant are almost certainly the interior wealth of saying 29. The reign is inward, and worldly power is the thing to be given up.
Parallels
1 Corinthians 4:8
Sayings on the same themes
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- Saying 54 Saying 54: Blessed Are the Poor Blessed are the poor, for the kingdom of heaven is yours.
- Saying 100 Saying 100: Give Caesar What Is Caesar’s Shown a gold coin and told that Caesar's people demand taxes, he answers: give Caesar what belongs to Caesar, give God what…
- Saying 29 Saying 29: Spirit Dwelling in Poverty If flesh came into being because of spirit that is a marvel; if spirit because of the body, a marvel of marvels.…
- Saying 41 Saying 41: To Whoever Has, More Will Be Given Whoever has something in hand will be given more; whoever has nothing will lose even the little they have.