Skip to content
quotesby

About this quote

What does it mean?
Winning power through struggle is impressive, but refusing it shows higher virtue.
In plain terms
Rejecting power is greater than winning it.
What can you take from it?
Humility and restraint are superior to ambition.

Where it applies

  • leadership roles
  • career advancement
  • political campaigns

Putting it to work

  • decline unnecessary titles
  • assess true cost of power

Questions to consider

  • When should you refuse power?
  • What defines true greatness?

Another view

Refusing power can sometimes mean neglecting responsibility.

More from Friedrich von Schiller

  1. There is room in the smallest cottage for a happy loving pair.

    Permalink to quote #138
  2. Truth exists for the wise, beauty for the feeling heart.

    Permalink to quote #140
  3. There is no such thing as chance; and what seem to us merest accident springs from the deepest source of destiny.

    Permalink to quote #137

Related quotes

  1. Innocence in genius, and candor in power, are both noble qualities.

    Anne Louise Germaine de StaelAnne Louise Germaine de Stael quote #5
  2. The power of purity-it is a definite power.

    Swami VivekanandaSwami Vivekananda quote #149
  3. This man, though, was of that rare type that knew what he wanted but didn't want anything badly enough to demand it or beg for it or hurt anyone else in the pr…

    Orson Scott CardOrson Scott Card quote #617