R&S: A Philosophy Question for you?

That's not a philosophic question. I thought you were going to ask us to defend the Ontological argument.

Lots of kings in the ancient world with humble beginnings and slaves.

The line comes from a stupid movie called Conan the Barbarian. The writer paraphrased a quote attributed to Genghis Khan.

My cultural references and philosophy does not come Conan and Genghis. Who cares what they said unless one is film buff or majors in history.

There are many versions of that debate. I prefer this one:

The barbarian chieftain said: ‘What then are the greatest things that a man may find in life?’ This is the sort of thing you’re supposed to say to maintain steppecred in barbarian circles.

The man on his right thoughtfully drank his cocktail of mare’s milk and snowcat blood, and spoke thus: ‘The crisp horizon of the steppe, the wind in your hair, a fresh horse under you.’

The man on his left said: ‘The cry of the white eagle in the heights, the fall of snow in the forest, a true arrow in your bow.’

The chieftain nodded, and said: ‘Surely it is the sight of your enemy slain, the humiliation of his tribe and the lamentation of his women.’

There was a general murmur of whiskery approval at this outrageous display.

Then the chieftain turned respectfully to his guest, a small figure carefully warming his chilblains by the fire, and said: ‘But our guest, whose name is legend, must tell us truly: what is it that a man may call the greatest things in life?’

[...]

The guest thought long and hard and then said, with deliberation: ‘Hot water, good dentishtry and shoft lavatory paper.’

-- Terry Pratchett, "The Light Fantastic"

I think the ancient king needed to turn down his testosterone, just a few notches.

It was probably a good philosophy, for 2,000 years ago.

It's the plot of the movie, "Conan the barbarian." A crappy Arnold movie from the 80's.

His statement is a hateful lie that will destroy him right along with those whom he has murdered.