Competence Quote by Dave Champion
““Ordinary men wonder why those of only average intelligence so often rise to the highest levels of power, while highly intelligent people generally do not. They fail to understand that reaching the highest levels of power has nothing to do with admired attributes such as intelligence and competence. The predominant characteristic of those who rise to the highest levels of power is a total disregard for the consequences – including death – that will befall thousands, or hundreds of thousands, or millions of human beings if it is deemed necessary to attain his (or her) goals. Generally speaking, it is this total disregard for humanity that has distinguished ‘rulers’ throughout history.””
About This Quote
Power is achieved through ruthless disregard for human cost, not through intelligence or competence.
In simple terms: Power comes from cruelty, not smarts.
Key Takeaway
Beware the allure of power without empathy.
Themes
power
ethics
leadership
humanity
history
Mood
cautionary
somber
critical
Type
advice
philosophical
historical
When to use this quote
- political leadership
- military command
- corporate CEOs
- revolutionary movements
- authoritarian regimes
Key Concepts
Machiavellianism
psychopathy
political ambition
Questions to Reflect On
- What costs are you willing to accept for success?
- Can power be exercised responsibly without harming others?
A Different Perspective
Such disregard can lead to catastrophic loss of life and moral decay.
![“A nominee [to Supreme Court] must possess the competence, character and temperament to serve on the bench.” quote by Herb Kohl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/51a/herb-kohl-25520_benches_a-nominee-to-supreme-court-must-possess_40021.jpg)
