“I find that I sent wolves not shepherds to govern Ireland, for they have left me nothing but ashes and carcasses to reign over!”
- September 7, 1533 – March 24, 1603
- English
- Queen of England and Ireland, Monarch
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Quote
“I find that I sent wolves not shepherds to govern Ireland, for they have left me nothing but ashes and carcasses to reign over!”
Explanation
In this anguished declaration, Elizabeth I condemns the brutality and misrule of her appointed officials in Ireland, likening them to wolves rather than shepherds. A shepherd is meant to guide and protect, whereas a wolf destroys and devours. By stating that her representatives have left “ashes and carcasses,” she vividly illustrates the devastation and human suffering wrought by their actions, possibly referring to the harsh suppression of Irish uprisings during her reign, especially the Desmond Rebellions or the Nine Years’ War.
This quote reveals Elizabeth’s moral conflict and disapproval of excessive cruelty, even when carried out in the name of crown authority. It suggests she may have been misled or disappointed by her governors’ conduct, reflecting the difficulty of controlling distant colonies through intermediaries. Though she was committed to asserting English control over Ireland, this statement acknowledges that such control must not come at the cost of humanity and justice.
In a modern context, this quote resonates with critiques of colonialism, military overreach, or authoritarian governance, where the means of enforcement destroy the very communities meant to be governed. It is a call for leadership that acts not as predators, but as caretakers—a principle applicable to national governments, corporations, and institutions seeking to exercise power responsibly and ethically.
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