Asylum Quote by Bertrand Russell
“Men who allow their love of power to give them a distorted view of the world are to be found in every asylum: one man will think that he is the Governor of the Bank of England, another will think he is the King, and yet another will think he is God.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Conquest of Happiness by Bertrand Russell, 1930
Power can warp perception, leading people to see themselves as omnipotent, which is common among those with delusional grandeur.
In simple terms: Power distorts reality and creates delusions of grandeur.
Key Takeaway
Beware of letting power cloud judgment.
Themes
power
delusion
perception
ego
authority
Mood
cautious
reflective
Type
philosophical
critical
When to use this quote
- leadership
- politics
- mental health
- organizational culture
Key Concepts
psychology
social dynamics
hubris
Questions to Reflect On
- How does power affect your self‑assessment?
- What checks can prevent delusional thinking?
A Different Perspective
Even with power, objective reality remains unchanged.
![“The publisher said of somebody, 'That man will get on; he believes in himself.' [...] I said to him, 'Shall I tell you where the men are who believe most in themselves? For I can tell you. I know of men who believe in themselves more colossally than Napoleon or Caesar. I know where flames the…” quote by G.K. Chesterton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/82a/g-k-chesterton-224_good-man_the-publisher-said-of-somebody-that-man_2044263.jpg)
![“If the State does not acquire supremacy over [vast private] enterprises, it becomes their puppet, and they become the real State.” quote by Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/bad/bertrand-russell-69_acquire_if-the-state-does-not-acquire-supremacy_1379.jpg)
