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
- Saying 54 Saying 54: Blessed Are the Poor Blessed are the poor, for the kingdom of heaven is yours.
- 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.
- Saying 76 Saying 76: The Pearl and the Treasure A merchant with a load of goods found a pearl, sold the lot and bought the pearl. Look for the treasure that…
- Saying 64 Saying 64: The Great Banquet A man invited guests to dinner; every one of them had business to attend to — debts to collect, a house to…
- Saying 110 Saying 110: Finding the World and Renouncing It Whoever has found the world and become rich should renounce the world.
- Saying 69 Saying 69: Blessed Are the Hungry Blessed are those persecuted in their hearts — they have truly come to know the Father. Blessed are the hungry, so that…