Kings have many eyes and many ears.
Kings have many eyes and many ears.
Meaning in plain English
Kings having many eyes and ears gives power an image of information gathered beyond one person’s direct experience. The saying questions who may learn of an event.
Example
Someone considers the audience of a shared account without assuming every conversation is secretly observed.
Deeper explanation and when to use it
The precise traditional context is unverified. A qualified reading does not assert universal surveillance or provide evasion methods. A useful application recognises that information may pass through others while keeping fair reporting and necessary support legitimate; power does not guarantee accurate knowledge.
When to use it
Use it as a qualified information-and-power image.
Keep in mind
No universal observation, accuracy of authority or evasion procedure is established.
Edsverb editorial interpretation · agent reviewed · 2026-10-05. This explains the saying; it does not establish its historical origin.
- Country attributed by the collection
United Kingdom · source-attributed; earliest origin unverified
- Source
- Contributor-provided wisdom reference
Supplied reference B; unit 946; PDF page 83; collection label: United Kingdom
Reuse and collection notes ↗ - Attribution confidence
- traditional · supplied collection
Preserved as printed; independently unverified. - Historical coordinate
- Undated
No reliable date supplied by the collection. - Rights & edition
- Contributor-confirmed reuse permission
Translations and rights may differ elsewhere.
Provenance and licences ↗