# Power and Humility in The Forerunner

> Theme guide for The Forerunner by Khalil Gibran.

True power is shown to lie in renunciation and self-awareness, as in 'The King-Hermit' and 'The Greater Self,' where a king learns that wisdom and might lead away from kingship, and humility restores true authority.

## Where it surfaces

- [The Plutocrat](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_forerunner_se/chapters/the-plutocrat): The monster's insatiable consumption reflects a perverse power that lacks humility, driven by fear of scarcity.
- [War and the Small Nations](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_forerunner_se/chapters/war-and-the-small-nations): The powerful eagles fight over prey while the humble sheep and lamb pray for peace.
- [Dynasties](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_forerunner_se/chapters/dynasties): The king's rage at the prophecy shows the fragility of power when faced with an unwelcome truth.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_forerunner_se/themes/power_and_humility
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_forerunner_se/themes