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About this quote

What does it mean?
Political power is a trust held by leaders who are accountable to the people.
In plain terms
Power comes from the people and belongs to them.
What can you take from it?
Leaders must serve the public interest.

Where it applies

  • elections
  • political speech
  • civic duty

Putting it to work

  • demand transparency
  • vote responsibly

Questions to consider

  • How should leaders demonstrate accountability?
  • What happens when power is abused?

Another view

This ideal often conflicts with real-world political realities.

More from Benjamin Disraeli

  1. Man is not the creature of circumstances, circumstances are the creatures of men. We are free agents, and man is more powerful than matter.

    Permalink to quote #93
  2. Grief is the agony of an instant; the indulgence of Grief the blunder of a life.

    Permalink to quote #95
  3. In politics, nothing is contemptible.

    Permalink to quote #92

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