was good enough when good men held the office, but always…
““was good enough when good men held the office, but always when you create an office that a man can lay hands on, an evil man will someday lay hands on it.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Power structures become vulnerable when they are created, allowing future misuse.
In simple terms: Offices can be corrupted over time.
Key Takeaway
Design systems with safeguards against abuse.
Themes
power
corruption
institution
Mood
cautious
critical
Type
philosophical
warning
When to use this quote
- government policy
- corporate governance
- organizational design
- legal frameworks
Key Concepts
ethics
control
legacy
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we prevent future abuse of created institutions?
- What checks are essential for new power structures?
A Different Perspective
Even well‑intended offices can be exploited despite safeguards.