It is a strange desire, to seek power and lose liberty, or to seek power over others and to lose power over a man's self. The rising unto place is laborious, and by pains men come to greater pains, and it is sometimes base; and by indignities men come to dignities. The standing is slippery, and the regress is either a downfall or at least an eclipse, which is a melancholy thing.

Summary

This quote suggests that it is paradoxical and puzzling to desire power at the expense of one's own freedom or to seek dominance over others while losing control over oneself. It emphasizes that the pursuit of power often involves hard work and can lead to even more difficulties and unpleasantness. The speaker highlights the fact that attaining a higher position can be degrading and prone to instability; any backward movement can be considered a personal failure or setback, resulting in a feeling of sadness or gloom.

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