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It has often been said that power corrupts. But it is perhaps equally important to realize that weakness, too, corrupts. Power corrupts the few, while weakness corrupts the many. Hatred, malice, rudeness, intolerance, and suspicion are the faults of weakness. The resentment of the weak does not spring from any injustice done to them but from the sense of inadequacy and impotence. They hate not wickedness but weakness. When it is their power to do so, the weak destroy weakness wherever they see it.

Eric Hoffer#40

PsychologyHuman naturePowerWeaknessHatredIntolerance

About this quote

What does it mean?
Weakness corrupts many people just as power corrupts a few, leading to hatred and intolerance of others' faults.
In plain terms
Weak people often hate others for the same flaws they feel in themselves.
What can you take from it?
Inadequacy breeds resentment and attacks on others.

Where it applies

  • conflict resolution
  • personal insecurity
  • social dynamics

Putting it to work

  • recognize personal weakness
  • challenge unfair resentment

Questions to consider

  • What flaws in others trigger your strongest reactions?
  • How does insecurity affect your view of others?

Another view

Power can also corrupt many depending on the structure of authority.

More from Eric Hoffer

  1. Whenever we proclaim the uniqueness of a religion, a truth, a leader, a nation, a race, a part or a holy cause, we are also proclaiming our own uniqueness.

    Permalink to quote #39
  2. God alone is satisfied with what He is and can proclaim: 'I am what I am.' Unlike God, man strives with all his might to be what he is not. He incessantly proc…

    Permalink to quote #41
  3. Pride is a sense of worth derived from something that is not organically part of us, while self-esteem derives from the potentialities and achievements of the …

    Permalink to quote #38

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