---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is not power that corrupts but fear."
description: "\"It is not power that corrupts but fear.\" — Aung San Suu Kyi"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dcf/aung-san-suu-kyi-922_burma_it-is-not-power-that-corrupts-but-fear-1_1443388.jpg"
---

#  It is not power that corrupts but fear.

![“It is not power that corrupts but fear.” quote by Aung San Suu Kyi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dcf/aung-san-suu-kyi-922_burma_it-is-not-power-that-corrupts-but-fear-1_1443388.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dcf/aung-san-suu-kyi-922_burma_it-is-not-power-that-corrupts-but-fear-1_1443388.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dcf/aung-san-suu-kyi-922_burma_it-is-not-power-that-corrupts-but-fear-1_1443388.jpg)

> “It is not power that corrupts but fear.”

[Aung San Suu Kyi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aung-san-suu-kyi/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Fear drives corrupt behavior more than power itself, because fear creates insecurity and manipulation.

**In simple terms:** Fear, not power, leads to corruption.

Key Takeaway

Address fear to prevent corruption.

Themes

power corruption fear ethics

Mood

cautious serious

Type

political philosophical

When to use this quote

- leadership
- governance
- personal conduct

Key Concepts

psychology political theory

Questions to Reflect On

- How does fear influence decision making?
- Can power be exercised ethically without fear?

A Different Perspective

Power can still corrupt if unchecked.

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