The will to power, as the modern age from Hobbes to…
“The will to power, as the modern age from Hobbes to Nietzsche understood it, far from being a characteristic of the strong, is, like envy and greed, among the vices of the weak, and possibly even their most dangerous one. Power corrupts indeed when the weak band together in order to ruin the strong, but not before.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Power is a vice of the weak, similar to envy and greed.
In simple terms: Power can be a weak‑person vice.
Key Takeaway
Beware of power used for selfish ends.
Themes
power
weakness
vice
political theory
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- political activism
- organizational governance
- personal ambition
Key Concepts
ethics
philosophy
social critique
Questions to Reflect On
- When can power be ethically justified?
- How does power affect community dynamics?
A Different Perspective
Power can also be a force for collective good.