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About this quote

What does it mean?
Absolute authority tends to corrupt the person holding it.
In plain terms
Total power corrupts total.
What can you take from it?
Unchecked power harms leaders.

Where it applies

  • leadership
  • management
  • governance

Putting it to work

  • add checks
  • seek oversight

Questions to consider

  • Who has too much power?
  • How is it checked?

Another view

Some wield power responsibly.

More from Orson Scott Card

  1. A little learning is a dangerous thing

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  2. You're not as smart as you think you are You're not smart enough to judge

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  3. The message seemed to be, you can't change anything and you'll end up dead so why try?

    Permalink to quote #981

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