Power! Did you ever hear of men being asked whether other…
“Power! Did you ever hear of men being asked whether other souls should have power or not? It is born in them. You may dam up the fountain of water, and make it a stagnant marsh, or you may let it run free and do its work; but you cannot say whether it shall be there; it is there. And it will act, if not openly for good, then covertly for evil; but it will act.”
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 an inherent human drive that emerges whether or not we control it; it can be directed toward good or evil, but it will always manifest.
In simple terms: Power naturally appears and acts, good or bad.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and guide power responsibly.
Themes
human nature
ethics
control
consequence
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
philosophical
ethical
observational
When to use this quote
- leadership
- politics
- personal relationships
- organizational dynamics
Key Concepts
volition
agency
dualism
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you channel personal power constructively?
- What safeguards can prevent power from becoming corrupt?
A Different Perspective
Power may be misused if unchecked, leading to unintended harm.