For the Common Good

A Leader should be willing to sacrifice for the common good. Atrides feels this responsibility, but wants compensation for his sacrifice. Below are his comments about the responsibility to sacrifice.

Yet, if the Gods demand her, let her sail;

Our cares are only for the public weal;

Let me be deem'd the hateful cause of all,

And suffer, rather than my people fall.

The prize, the beauteous prize, I will resign,

So dearly valued, and so justly mine.

But Atrides wants compensation for his sacrifice:

But since for the common good I yield the fair,

My private loss let grateful Greece repair;

Nor unrewarded let your prince complain,

That he alone has fought and bled in vain.

Book I, Page 5, The Iliad