--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: But constant experience shows us that…" description: "\"But constant experience shows us that every man invested with power is apt to abuse it, and to carry his authority as far as it will go.\" — Anonymous" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e65/anonymous-1_abuse_but-constant-experience-shows-us-that-ev_1870382.jpg" --- # But constant experience shows us that every man invested… ![“But constant experience shows us that every man invested with power is apt to abuse it, and to carry his authority as far as it will go.” quote by Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e65/anonymous-1_abuse_but-constant-experience-shows-us-that-ev_1870382.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e65/anonymous-1_abuse_but-constant-experience-shows-us-that-ev_1870382.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e65/anonymous-1_abuse_but-constant-experience-shows-us-that-ev_1870382.jpg) > “But constant experience shows us that every man invested with power is apt to abuse it, and to carry his authority as far as it will go.” [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Power tends to corrupt; those with authority often overextend it beyond reasonable limits. **In simple terms:** Power corrupts and leads to excess. Key Takeaway Guard against overreach. Themes power corruption authority Mood cautious reflective Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - leadership - government - organizational management - personal relationships Key Concepts human nature ethics political theory Questions to Reflect On - How do you ensure power is exercised responsibly? - What checks can prevent abuse? A Different Perspective Power can also be used responsibly with strong accountability. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Abuse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abuse/) [Authority](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/authority/) [Power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/power/) ## Related quotes > [Kings and magistrates are invested with no more power than the people entrust to them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-williams/kings-and-magistrates-are-invested-with-no-more-power-than-the-people/) [Roger Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-williams/) > [The mind, whatever else it is, is a constant of everyone's experience, and, in more ways than we know, the creator of the reality…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilynne-robinson/the-mind-whatever-else-it-is-is-a-constant-of-everyone-s-experience/) [Marilynne Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilynne-robinson/) > [When we pray in the name of Jesus, we carry the authority of heaven.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-ludy/when-we-pray-in-the-name-of-jesus-we-carry-the-authority-of-heaven/) [Eric Ludy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-ludy/) > [“this wasted time i have found by constant experience to be as indispensable as sleep.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/this-wasted-time-i-have-found-by-constant-experience-to-be-as/) [john adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [What we must eliminate are systems of representation that carry with them the authority which has become repressive because it doesn't permit or make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-said/what-we-must-eliminate-are-systems-of-representation-that-carry-with/) [Edward Said](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-said/) > [STOP THE ABUSE!!!!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/stop-the-abuse/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [When we struggle for human rights, for freedom, for dignity, when we feel that it is a ministry of the church to concern itself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-we-struggle-for-human-rights-for-freedom-for-dignity-when-we/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I was under the impression that the worst thing you can do when you see or experience abuse it to be silent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-was-under-the-impression-that-the-worst-thing-you-can-do-when-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Don't take advantage of me just because I give you chances. It doesn't mean you can abuse them over and over again.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/don-t-take-advantage-of-me-just-because-i-give-you-chances-it-doesn-t/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [And home must be her battle ground...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/and-home-must-be-her-battle-ground/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If you have my trust, don't lose it and if you have my heart, please don't abuse it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-you-have-my-trust-don-t-lose-it-and-if-you-have-my-heart-please/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Those who can't have you hate you, those who have you can't handle you, those who abuse you lose you, & then there are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/those-who-can-t-have-you-hate-you-those-who-have-you-can-t-handle-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/but-when-a-long-train-of-abuses-and-usurpations-pursuing-invariably/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Depression vs. Me](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/depression-vs-me/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Being nice is okay,but don't allow anybody to abuse it...try to fight for your self when you know your on the right way...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/being-nice-is-okay-but-don-t-allow-anybody-to-abuse-it-try-to-fight/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Anonymous > [And a tear rolled down her cheek, as she said goodbye; because she's walking away, and she's never looking back](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/and-a-tear-rolled-down-her-cheek-as-she-said-goodbye-because-she-s/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Life is full of change. That's how we learn and grow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-is-full-of-change-that-s-how-we-learn-and-grow/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You'll seldom experience regret for anything that you've done. It is what you haven't done that will torment you. The message, therefore, is clear.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-ll-seldom-experience-regret-for-anything-that-you-ve-done-it-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Scrabble - The game is available in Braille. That’s a nice fact. This makes me feel better about humanity for some reason. I can’t…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/scrabble-the-game-is-available-in-braille-that-s-a-nice-fact-this/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Everyone needs someone to love, and I choose you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/everyone-needs-someone-to-love-and-i-choose-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“THIS tale of my sore-troubled life I write,    To thank the God of nature, who conveyed    My soul to me, and with such care…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/this-tale-of-my-sore-troubled-life-i-write-to-thank-the-god-of-nature/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Put on my J's and dance the whole night away Im naughty by nature like Im hip-hop hooray With my hands in the sky,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/put-on-my-j-s-and-dance-the-whole-night-away-im-naughty-by-nature/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Me.. I have been through a lot, but I still manage to have a smile on my face. Im not worried about the past…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/me-i-have-been-through-a-lot-but-i-still-manage-to-have-a-smile-on-my/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Distance is a test of love. many will fail for those who can't withstand it, but for those who can, theres only one answer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/distance-is-a-test-of-love-many-will-fail-for-those-who-can-t/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Im sorry I ever tried...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/im-sorry-i-ever-tried/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Being betrayed by the one you love is the worst feeling in the world...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/being-betrayed-by-the-one-you-love-is-the-worst-feeling-in-the-world/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Let children support their parents or be imprisoned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/let-children-support-their-parents-or-be-imprisoned/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The only person I've ever purposely caused pain here is myself...By simply sharing, caring too much.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-only-person-i-ve-ever-purposely-caused-pain-here-is-myself-by/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Start a business, not a startup”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/start-a-business-not-a-startup/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The truth is, of course, that the curtness of the Ten Commandments is an evidence, not of the gloom and narrowness of a religion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-truth-is-of-course-that-the-curtness-of-the-ten-commandments-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) [Explore all 162,899 Anonymous quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More Abuse quotes > [I wrote when I was a young teen, but I didn't put an eye on the available markets until I was seventeen. The next…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-reed/i-wrote-when-i-was-a-young-teen-but-i-didn-t-put-an-eye-on-the/) [Robert Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-reed/) > [Amongst the financial Twitterati, the term 'muppets' has come to describe any client used and abused by some financial predator. I've adopted the term…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-ritholtz/amongst-the-financial-twitterati-the-term-muppets-has-come-to/) [Barry Ritholtz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-ritholtz/) > [Being nice is okay,but don't allow anybody to abuse it...try to fight for your self when you know your on the right way...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/being-nice-is-okay-but-don-t-allow-anybody-to-abuse-it-try-to-fight/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Build a bridge over shame by teaching kids about sexual abuse. Give them a chance to run to us should they encounter it. Be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carolyn-byers-ruch/build-a-bridge-over-shame-by-teaching-kids-about-sexual-abuse-give/) [Carolyn Byers Ruch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carolyn-byers-ruch/) > [It is sure that those are most desirous of honour or glory who cry out loudest of its abuse and the vanity of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baruch-spinoza/it-is-sure-that-those-are-most-desirous-of-honour-or-glory-who-cry/) [Baruch Spinoza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baruch-spinoza/) > [“The sole reason I stand to open it up now is that lots of people who are in pain just like I was, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-dsouza/the-sole-reason-i-stand-to-open-it-up-now-is-that-lots-of-people-who/) [Patricia Dsouza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-dsouza/) > [Democracy must be built through open societies that share information. When there is information, there is enlightenment. When there is debate, there are solutions.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/atifete-jahjaga/democracy-must-be-built-through-open-societies-that-share-information/) [Atifete Jahjaga](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/atifete-jahjaga/) > [I have a theory that all abuse, no matter what kind of abuse it is, is foremost an assault on the mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tara-westover/i-have-a-theory-that-all-abuse-no-matter-what-kind-of-abuse-it-is-is/) [Tara Westover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tara-westover/) > [“Blaming therapy, social work and other caring professions for the confabulation of testimony of 'satanic ritual abuse' legitimated a programme of political and social…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-salter/blaming-therapy-social-work-and-other-caring-professions-for-the/) [Michael Salter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-salter/) > [Finally, the scariest thing about abuse of any shape or form, is, in my opinion, not the abuse itself, but that if it continues…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-cumming/finally-the-scariest-thing-about-abuse-of-any-shape-or-form-is-in-my/) [Alan Cumming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-cumming/) > [“Research on organised abuse emphasises the diversity of organised abuse cases, and the ways in which serious forms of child maltreatment cluster in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-salter/research-on-organised-abuse-emphasises-the-diversity-of-organised/) [Michael Salter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-salter/) > [“Stand up for yourself. Never give any one permission to abuse you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/stand-up-for-yourself-never-give-any-one-permission-to-abuse-you/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [All governments should be pressured to correct their abuses of human rights.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-stallman/all-governments-should-be-pressured-to-correct-their-abuses-of-human/) [Richard Stallman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-stallman/) > [“Words are free. It does not mean you should abuse them. Be kind with them. They will mirror your actions.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hadinet-tekie/words-are-free-it-does-not-mean-you-should-abuse-them-be-kind-with/) [Hadinet Tekie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hadinet-tekie/) > [My illness is one often characterized by dramatic overspending - in my case through frenzied shopping sprees, credit card abuse, excessive hoarding of unnecessary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-behrman/my-illness-is-one-often-characterized-by-dramatic-overspending-in-my/) [Andy Behrman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-behrman/) [Browse all 3,113 Abuse quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abuse/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "But constant experience shows us that every man invested with power is apt to abuse it, and to carry his authority as far as it will go.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Anonymous" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/but-constant-experience-shows-us-that-every-man-invested-with-power/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Abuse" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/but-constant-experience-shows-us-that-every-man-invested-with-power/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e65/anonymous-1_abuse_but-constant-experience-shows-us-that-ev_1870382.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e65/anonymous-1_abuse_but-constant-experience-shows-us-that-ev_1870382.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e65/anonymous-1_abuse_but-constant-experience-shows-us-that-ev_1870382.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“But constant experience shows us that every man invested with power is apt to abuse it, and to carry his…” — Anonymous", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Anonymous", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "But constant experience shows us that...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/but-constant-experience-shows-us-that-every-man-invested-with-power/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/but-constant-experience-shows-us-that-every-man-invested-with-power/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```