Want of principle is power. Truth and honesty set a limit…
“Want of principle is power. Truth and honesty set a limit to our efforts, which impudence and hypocrisy easily overleap.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Principle restrains power; truth and honesty bound ambition, while impudence and hypocrisy bypass those limits.
In simple terms: Principle limits power; truth caps ambition.
Key Takeaway
Without principle, power can become unchecked.
Themes
ethics
power dynamics
integrity
hypocrisy
truth
Mood
thoughtful
cautionary
critical
Type
maxim
observation
When to use this quote
- political leadership
- corporate governance
- personal decision‑making
- social activism
Key Concepts
principle
honesty
impudence
Practical Applications
- ethical leadership training
- integrity‑focused policy design
Questions to Reflect On
- How does a lack of principle affect societal trust?
- In what ways can honesty constrain ambition?