Beowulf: Dialectical Journal 51

(3088-3090) “Often when one man follows his own will many are hurt.”

This plays into the idea of Beowulf thinking he was being a good king by going into battle (which he knew he was going to die), when in fact he probably did more harm then good. By not setting up his people for life with out him as a king and the great warrior he was, they had no protection. The only thing they could have gained from this was the treasure that the dragon was hoarding and they could have only be used as bargaining, not really protection. Because they could have paid the invaders off but once they got the treasure they could have invaded and taken over anyway. but none of that even matters because the people buried all the treasure with Beowulf anyway.