Better a Wise Child than an Old and Foolish King

Today I read Ecclesiastes 4 and liked the phrase better is a poor and wise child than an old and foolish king who will no more be admonished.  We have spoken before that it takes real love to discipline a child or another person.  I know it is hard to listen to my child call my name in desperation to avoid her mother's punishment, but it is the right thing to do when she has been willfully bad, otherwise there is no learning.  People need correcting or there is no way to improve and become a better person.  The reason a foolish king is worse off than a child is because no one corrects the king and so he will not improve at all.  The best thing a leader can do for him or herself, is to keep around someone who will tell them the absolute truth without shading it and keep them on the wise path.  A friend who corrects should be more treasured than a sycophant who will do our every whim.  Until tomorrow.