All subjects are the king’s servants.

Explanation

The relationship between sovereign and subject is reciprocal — protection in exchange for allegiance, allegiance in exchange for protection.

Where this applies

• In a monarchy, every subject owes allegiance to the crown and is bound to serve the sovereign's lawful commands — and reciprocally, the crown owes protection to every subject.
• A medieval serf argues that his lord cannot abandon him in time of war because the duty of service is reciprocal — the lord who demands allegiance must provide protection.
• In the American system, the relationship is inverted: government officers are the servants and the People are the sovereign, but the reciprocal principle remains — those who serve must be loyal to those they serve.