The Journey to the East

Near the end of the book, H.H. is stunned to learn that Leo—formerly a servant—is actually the President of the League. He recalls what Leo once said to him: “He who wishes to live long must serve” (34). Leo also calls this precept the “Law of service,” and says that “he who wishes to rule does not live long” (34). This statement leads H.H. to wonder why anyone would ever want to rule, if ruling, or becoming a master, is a negation of immortality. Leo explains that those who are meant to be masters—and there are few—were destined to become so since birth. Those who rise to their positions through nothing but achievements and effort “end in nothing” (34). As the conversation ends, H.H. is beginning to suspect that Leo knows more than the rest of them, who are considered to be his masters, since Leo is only a servant.

Once Leo is revealed to be the President of the League, he still makes it clear that he remains a servant. He serves the aims of the League and the goals of its initiates. Leo’s role as leader is akin to something more like a midwife: he helps other people bring their true nature into existence by helping them understand reality.