History Quote by Bertrand Russell
“Religions, which condemn the pleasures of sense, drive men to seek the pleasures of power. Throughout history power has been the vice of the ascetic.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Conquest of Happiness by Bertrand Russell, 1930
Denouncing sensory pleasures pushes people toward craving power, which often becomes a moral failing for those who practice asceticism.
In simple terms: Rejecting sensory joy leads to power lust and moral decline.
Key Takeaway
Beware of replacing one vice with another.
Themes
morality
power
asceticism
human nature
Mood
cautionary
reflective
Type
critical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- political leadership
- religious movements
- personal ambition
- social reform
Key Concepts
philosophy
ethics
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you trade one desire for another?
- How does asceticism affect moral choices?
A Different Perspective
Power can corrupt even those who reject material indulgence.
![“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)
