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Rather than offend Henchkind, let me suggest we revert to the terms minions on the one hand and Toadies, Lackies, and Flunkies - collectively: petty underlings - on the other.
Flunkies are totally incapable of independent thought or unsupervised actions. They cannot be left alone for more than a few minutes, for fear of hurting themselves or others.
Lackeys are capable of following rudimentary instructions and marginal self-supervision for up to a day or so. The better lackeys are also capable of supervising a squad of flunkies while they break rocks into gravel, but again, only for a day or so.
Minions are capable of a far greater range of authority, self-determination, and responsibility. They can act unsupervised for days, weeks, even months at a time, largely because they are generally clever enough to call you on their cellular phone if they think they're in a situation that is over their heads. They can be trusted with several squadrons of flunkies and the appropriate support staff of lackeys.
I don't use toadies. I have no idea what they're good for.
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Light a man a fire, and he will be warm while it burns.
Set a man on fire, and he will be warm for the rest of his life.
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