Every man Quote by André Malraux
““...For that matter, men are perhaps indifferent to power… What fascinates them in this idea, you see, is not real power, it's the illusion of being able to do exactly as they please. The king's power is the power to govern, isn't it? But man has no urge to govern--he has an urge to compel, as you said. To be more than a man, in a world of men. To escape man's fate, I was saying. Not powerful--all-powerful. The visionary disease, of which the will to power is only the intellectual justification, is the will to god-head--every man dreams of being god.””
About This Quote
The passage critiques the illusion of power, suggesting true power is governance, while many crave god‑like control.
In simple terms: Power is often an illusion; true power is governance.
Seek genuine responsibility over illusionary control.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- political discourse
- academic essays
- leadership training
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What does true power mean to you?
- How does the desire for god‑like control affect society?
May be overly abstract for lay readers.