Power does not corrupt. Fear corrupts... perhaps the fear of a loss of power.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Fear of losing power is what corrupts people, not power itself.
- In plain terms
- Power is not corrupt; fear of losing it is.
- What can you take from it?
- Fear, not power, leads to corruption.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Can power ever be truly neutral?
- How does fear affect decision making?
Another view
This view simplifies the complex ways power can lead to corruption.
More from John Steinbeck
No one wants advice, only corroboration.
Permalink to quote #72 So in our pride we ordered for breakfast an omelet, toast and coffee and what has just arrived is a tomato salad with onions, a dish of pickles, a big slice of…
Permalink to quote #74 It is a common experience that a problem difficult at night is resolved in the morning after the committee of sleep has worked on it.
Permalink to quote #71
Related quotes
Powerlessness corrupts: absolute powerlessness corrupts absolutely.
Rosabeth Moss KanterRosabeth Moss Kanter quote #2 'Power corrupts. Absolute power is kind of neat.'
John LehmanJohn Lehman quote #5 There is nothing more corrupting, nothing more destructive of the noblest and finest feelings of our nature, than the exercise of unlimited power.
William Henry HarrisonWilliam Henry Harrison quote #9