--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: That anyone who possesses power has a…" description: "\"That anyone who possesses power has a tendency to abuse it is an eternal truth. They tend to go as far as the barriers will allow.\" — Baron de Montesquieu" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ab/baron-de-montesquieu-3012_abuse_that-anyone-who-possesses-power-has-a-te_2029330.png" --- # That anyone who possesses power has a tendency to abuse it… ![“That anyone who possesses power has a tendency to abuse it is an eternal truth. They tend to go as far as the barriers will allow.” quote by Baron de Montesquieu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ab/baron-de-montesquieu-3012_abuse_that-anyone-who-possesses-power-has-a-te_2029330.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ab/baron-de-montesquieu-3012_abuse_that-anyone-who-possesses-power-has-a-te_2029330.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ab/baron-de-montesquieu-3012_abuse_that-anyone-who-possesses-power-has-a-te_2029330.png) > “That anyone who possesses power has a tendency to abuse it is an eternal truth. They tend to go as far as the barriers will allow.” [Baron de Montesquieu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baron-de-montesquieu/) ## 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, and people will push limits until constraints stop them. **In simple terms:** Power corrupts; limits matter. Key Takeaway Guard against unchecked authority. Themes politics ethics authority corruption Mood cautious reflective Type political ethical When to use this quote - government - corporate leadership - personal relationships Key Concepts Power dynamics human nature Questions to Reflect On - How do you ensure accountability in your role? - What safeguards can prevent abuse? A Different Perspective Power can be checked by strong institutions. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Abuse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abuse/) [Abuse Eternal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abuse-eternal-3718374/) [Barriers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/barriers/) [Barriers Allow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/barriers-allow-3718375/) [Eternal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eternal/) [Eternal Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eternal-truth/) [Peace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/peace/) [Possesses Power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/possesses-power-315943/) [Power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/power/) [Tendencies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tendencies/) [Tendency Abuse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tendency-abuse-3718373/) [Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth/) ## Related quotes > [Government has within it a tendency to abuse its powers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-calhoun/government-has-within-it-a-tendency-to-abuse-its-powers/) [John C. Calhoun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-calhoun/) > [“The greatest power a person possesses is the power to choose. ”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-martin-kohe/the-greatest-power-a-person-possesses-is-the-power-to-choose/) [J. Martin Kohe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-martin-kohe/) > [The Autocrat of Russia possesses more power than any other man in the earth; but he cannot stop a sneeze.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/the-autocrat-of-russia-possesses-more-power-than-any-other-man-in-the/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [The greatest power that a person possesses is the power to choose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-martin-kohe/the-greatest-power-that-a-person-possesses-is-the-power-to-choose/) [J. Martin Kohe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-martin-kohe/) > [He is only rich who owns the day. There is no king, rich man, fairy, or demon who possesses such power as that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/he-is-only-rich-who-owns-the-day-there-is-no-king-rich-man-fairy-or/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [“If he had the earth for his pasture and the sea for his pond, he would be a pauper still. He only is rich…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/if-he-had-the-earth-for-his-pasture-and-the-sea-for-his-pond-he-would/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Power is very much like the wind. It comes and goes; no one really owns it. People are foolish enough to think they possess…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/power-is-very-much-like-the-wind-it-comes-and-goes-no-one-really-owns/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [“Think of it: a writer actually possesses the power to alter his past, to change what was once experienced as defeat into victory and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franz-wright/think-of-it-a-writer-actually-possesses-the-power-to-alter-his-past/) [Franz Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franz-wright/) > [Never by hatred is hatred appeased, but it is appeased by kindness. This is an eternal truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gautama-buddha/never-by-hatred-is-hatred-appeased-but-it-is-appeased-by-kindness/) [Gautama Buddha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gautama-buddha/) > [We say, then, to anyone who is under trial, give Him time to steep the soul in His eternal truth. Go into the open…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/we-say-then-to-anyone-who-is-under-trial-give-him-time-to-steep-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Establish the eternal truth that acquiescence under insult is not the way to escape war.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/establish-the-eternal-truth-that-acquiescence-under-insult-is-not-the/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Wherever there has been expansion in love or progress in well-being, of individuals or numbers, it has been through the perception, realisation, and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/wherever-there-has-been-expansion-in-love-or-progress-in-well-being/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [Crude absurdities, trivial nonsense, and sublime truths are equally potent in readying people for self-sacrifice if they are accepted as the sole, eternal truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-hoffer/crude-absurdities-trivial-nonsense-and-sublime-truths-are-equally/) [Eric Hoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-hoffer/) > [It should be remembered, as an axiom of eternal truth in politics, that whatever power in any government is independent, is absolute also.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/it-should-be-remembered-as-an-axiom-of-eternal-truth-in-politics-that/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Nature utters her voice in lessons of heavenly wisdom and eternal truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-g-white/nature-utters-her-voice-in-lessons-of-heavenly-wisdom-and-eternal/) [Ellen G. White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-g-white/) ## More by Baron de Montesquieu > [When the savages of Louisiana wish to have fruit, they cut the tree at the bottom and gather the fruit. That is exactly a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baron-de-montesquieu/when-the-savages-of-louisiana-wish-to-have-fruit-they-cut-the-tree-at/) [Baron de Montesquieu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baron-de-montesquieu/) > [Political liberty in a citizen is that tranquillity of spirit which comes from the opinion each one has of his security, and in order…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baron-de-montesquieu/political-liberty-in-a-citizen-is-that-tranquillity-of-spirit-which/) [Baron de Montesquieu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baron-de-montesquieu/) > [It is rare to find learned men who are clean, do not stink and have a sense of humour.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baron-de-montesquieu/it-is-rare-to-find-learned-men-who-are-clean-do-not-stink-and-have-a/) [Baron de Montesquieu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baron-de-montesquieu/) > [When virtue is banished, ambition invades the minds of those who are disposed to receive it and avarice possesses the whole community.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baron-de-montesquieu/when-virtue-is-banished-ambition-invades-the-minds-of-those-who-are/) [Baron de Montesquieu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baron-de-montesquieu/) > [Vitam Impendere Vero (I consecrate my life to truth).](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baron-de-montesquieu/vitam-impendere-vero-i-consecrate-my-life-to-truth/) [Baron de Montesquieu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baron-de-montesquieu/) > [A good writer does not write as people write, but as he writes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baron-de-montesquieu/a-good-writer-does-not-write-as-people-write-but-as-he-writes/) [Baron de Montesquieu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baron-de-montesquieu/) > [A rational army would run away.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baron-de-montesquieu/a-rational-army-would-run-away/) [Baron de Montesquieu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baron-de-montesquieu/) > [Christianity stamped its character on jurisprudence; for empire has ever a connection with the priesthood.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baron-de-montesquieu/christianity-stamped-its-character-on-jurisprudence-for-empire-has/) [Baron de Montesquieu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baron-de-montesquieu/) > [Trade is the best cure for prejudice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baron-de-montesquieu/trade-is-the-best-cure-for-prejudice/) [Baron de Montesquieu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baron-de-montesquieu/) > [The prejudices of superstition are superior to all others, and have the strongest influence on the human mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baron-de-montesquieu/the-prejudices-of-superstition-are-superior-to-all-others-and-have/) [Baron de Montesquieu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baron-de-montesquieu/) > [Republics are brought to their ends by luxury; monarchies by poverty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baron-de-montesquieu/republics-are-brought-to-their-ends-by-luxury-monarchies-by-poverty/) [Baron de Montesquieu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baron-de-montesquieu/) > [Laws, in their most general signification, are the necessary relations derived from the nature of things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baron-de-montesquieu/laws-in-their-most-general-signification-are-the-necessary-relations/) [Baron de Montesquieu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baron-de-montesquieu/) > [Politics are a smooth file, which cuts gradually, and attains its end by slow progression.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baron-de-montesquieu/politics-are-a-smooth-file-which-cuts-gradually-and-attains-its-end/) [Baron de Montesquieu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baron-de-montesquieu/) > [The crime against nature will never make any great progress in society unless people are prompted to it by some particular custom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baron-de-montesquieu/the-crime-against-nature-will-never-make-any-great-progress-in/) [Baron de Montesquieu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baron-de-montesquieu/) > [When a government is arrived to that degree of corruption as to be incapable of reforming itself, it would not lose much by being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baron-de-montesquieu/when-a-government-is-arrived-to-that-degree-of-corruption-as-to-be/) [Baron de Montesquieu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baron-de-montesquieu/) [Explore all 142 Baron de Montesquieu quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baron-de-montesquieu/) ## 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. 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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. 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