--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The great corrupter of public men is the…" description: "\"The great corrupter of public men is the ego - corrupter because distracter. Wealth, sensuality, power cannot hold a candle to it. Looking in the mirro..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e66/dean-acheson-14457_alter-ego_the-great-corrupter-of-public-men-is-the_1058540.jpg" --- # The great corrupter of public men is the ego - corrupter… ![“The great corrupter of public men is the ego - corrupter because distracter. Wealth, sensuality, power cannot hold a candle to it. Looking in the mirror distracts one's attention from the problem.” quote by Dean Acheson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e66/dean-acheson-14457_alter-ego_the-great-corrupter-of-public-men-is-the_1058540.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e66/dean-acheson-14457_alter-ego_the-great-corrupter-of-public-men-is-the_1058540.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e66/dean-acheson-14457_alter-ego_the-great-corrupter-of-public-men-is-the_1058540.jpg) > “The great corrupter of public men is the ego - corrupter because distracter. Wealth, sensuality, power cannot hold a candle to it. Looking in the mirror distracts one's attention from the problem.” [Dean Acheson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-acheson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The ego distracts leaders more than wealth, sensuality, or power, preventing them from addressing real problems. **In simple terms:** Ego is the biggest distraction for leaders. Key Takeaway Beware ego’s pull; stay focused on issues. Themes leadership ego distraction power wealth Mood reflective critical Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - political decisionmaking - personal development - public speaking - leadership training Key Concepts psychology political theory self-awareness Questions to Reflect On - How does ego influence your decisions? - What strategies keep you focused on real issues? A Different Perspective Ego can be hard to recognize and may be justified as confidence. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Alter ego](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alter-ego/) [Attention](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attention/) [Big ego](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/big-ego/) [Ego](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ego/) [Ego problem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ego-problem/) [Looking in the mirror](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/looking-in-the-mirror/) [Madness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/madness/) [Male ego](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/male-ego/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Mirrors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mirrors/) [Problem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/problem/) ## Related quotes > [The great corrupter of public man is the ego… Looking at the mirror distracts one's attention from the problem.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-acheson/the-great-corrupter-of-public-man-is-the-ego-looking-at-the-mirror/) [Dean Acheson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-acheson/) > [Rogueries, absurdities and untruths were perpetrated upon the teachings of Jesus by a large band of dupes and importers led by Paul, the first…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/rogueries-absurdities-and-untruths-were-perpetrated-upon-the/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [“For he who is a corrupter of the laws is more than likely to be a corrupter of the young and foolish portion of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/for-he-who-is-a-corrupter-of-the-laws-is-more-than-likely-to-be-a/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [Love is the greatest corrupter ever known and has been the numbers one downfall of mankind since the first creation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/love-is-the-greatest-corrupter-ever-known-and-has-been-the-numbers/) [Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/) > [I am indeed not her fool, but her corrupter of words. (Act III, sc. I, 37-38)](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/i-am-indeed-not-her-fool-but-her-corrupter-of-words-act-iii-sc-i-37-38/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [There is a concept that is the corrupter and destroyer of all others. I speak not of Evil, whose limited empire is that of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jorge-luis-borges/there-is-a-concept-that-is-the-corrupter-and-destroyer-of-all-others/) [Jorge Luis Borges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jorge-luis-borges/) > [If you correct me and I get offended, then I have an EGO problem!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cv-pillay/if-you-correct-me-and-i-get-offended-then-i-have-an-ego-problem/) [Cv Pillay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cv-pillay/) > [As Hubert Benoit said, it is not the identification with the ego that is the problem, but the exclusive nature of the identification. When…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-wilber/as-hubert-benoit-said-it-is-not-the-identification-with-the-ego-that/) [Ken Wilber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-wilber/) > [“Don't worry, now that I know about your little ego problem, I'll do my best to look all gushy when you pound your chest.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-feehan/don-t-worry-now-that-i-know-about-your-little-ego-problem-i-ll-do-my/) [Christine Feehan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-feehan/) > [Let's face it; God has a big ego problem. Why do we always have to worship him?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-maher/let-s-face-it-god-has-a-big-ego-problem-why-do-we-always-have-to/) [Bill Maher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-maher/) > [Every problem is an ego problem. In order to have a problem there has to be an ego-frustration.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lester-levenson/every-problem-is-an-ego-problem-in-order-to-have-a-problem-there-has/) [Lester Levenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lester-levenson/) > [I Remained Quiet.. She Said I Have No Heart, I Remained Quiet.. ... She Said I Have EGO Problem, I Remained Quiet.. She Said…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tauseef/i-remained-quiet-she-said-i-have-no-heart-i-remained-quiet-she-said-i/) Tauseef > [I know that I sound self-satisfied, and I know that I've got an ego, but I don't have an ego problem.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-michael/i-know-that-i-sound-self-satisfied-and-i-know-that-i-ve-got-an-ego/) [George Michael](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-michael/) > [But in the West it is very easy to dissolve the ego. So whenever a Western seeker reaches an understanding that ego is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajneesh/but-in-the-west-it-is-very-easy-to-dissolve-the-ego-so-whenever-a/) [Rajneesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajneesh/) > [Ego problems are endemic in every walk of life, but in the movie business egomaniacs are megalomaniacs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lynda-obst/ego-problems-are-endemic-in-every-walk-of-life-but-in-the-movie/) [Lynda Obst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lynda-obst/) ## More by Dean Acheson > [How could the USA champion individual freedom in the world generally while denying it to an important minority in its own country.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-acheson/how-could-the-usa-champion-individual-freedom-in-the-world-generally/) [Dean Acheson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-acheson/) > [The test for aid to poor nations is therefore whether it makes them capable of being productive. If it fails to do so, it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-acheson/the-test-for-aid-to-poor-nations-is-therefore-whether-it-makes-them/) [Dean Acheson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-acheson/) > [To leave positions of great responsibility and authority is to die a little, but the time comes when that must be faced.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-acheson/to-leave-positions-of-great-responsibility-and-authority-is-to-die-a/) [Dean Acheson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-acheson/) > [Between 9 and 10 AM the American radio is concerned almost exclusively with love. It seems a little like ending breakfast with a stiff bourbon.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-acheson/between-9-and-10-am-the-american-radio-is-concerned-almost/) [Dean Acheson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-acheson/) > [It is worse than immoral, it's a mistake.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-acheson/it-is-worse-than-immoral-it-s-a-mistake/) [Dean Acheson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-acheson/) > [Great Britain has lost an Empire and has not yet found a role.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-acheson/great-britain-has-lost-an-empire-and-has-not-yet-found-a-role/) [Dean Acheson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-acheson/) > [The Iraqi is really not whacky toady, perhaps, even tacky. When they gave him the word, he gave us the bird and joined with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-acheson/the-iraqi-is-really-not-whacky-toady-perhaps-even-tacky-when-they/) [Dean Acheson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-acheson/) > [If we learn the art of yielding what must be yielded to the changing present, we can save the best of the past.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-acheson/if-we-learn-the-art-of-yielding-what-must-be-yielded-to-the-changing/) [Dean Acheson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-acheson/) > [Negotiating in the classic diplomatic sense assumes parties more anxious to agree than to disagree.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-acheson/negotiating-in-the-classic-diplomatic-sense-assumes-parties-more/) [Dean Acheson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-acheson/) > [Washington is like a self-sealing tank on a military aircraft. When a bullet passes through, it closes up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-acheson/washington-is-like-a-self-sealing-tank-on-a-military-aircraft-when-a/) [Dean Acheson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-acheson/) > [A memorandum is written not to inform the reader but to protect the writer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-acheson/a-memorandum-is-written-not-to-inform-the-reader-but-to-protect-the/) [Dean Acheson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-acheson/) > [Americans assume Canada to be bestowed as a right and accept this bounty, as they do air, without thought or appreciation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-acheson/americans-assume-canada-to-be-bestowed-as-a-right-and-accept-this/) [Dean Acheson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-acheson/) > [I learned from the example of my father that the manner in which one endures what must be endured is more important than the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-acheson/i-learned-from-the-example-of-my-father-that-the-manner-in-which-one/) [Dean Acheson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-acheson/) > [The trouble with a free market economy is that it requires so many policemen to make it work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-acheson/the-trouble-with-a-free-market-economy-is-that-it-requires-so-many/) [Dean Acheson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-acheson/) > [I think Churchill is right, the only thing to be said for democracy is that there is nothing else that's any better, and therefore…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-acheson/i-think-churchill-is-right-the-only-thing-to-be-said-for-democracy-is/) [Dean Acheson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-acheson/) [Explore all 46 Dean Acheson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-acheson/) ## More Alter ego quotes > [“What people saw when he appeared before them, then, was not really him, but a person he had invented, an artificial creature he could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-auster/what-people-saw-when-he-appeared-before-them-then-was-not-really-him/) [Paul Auster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-auster/) > [Effeminate men intrigue me more than anything in the world. I see them as my alter egos. I feel very drawn to them. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madonna-ciccone/effeminate-men-intrigue-me-more-than-anything-in-the-world-i-see-them/) [Madonna Ciccone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madonna-ciccone/) > [What happens if the music or alter ego isn't well received? The fact that people are talking about it, I won already.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/musiq-soulchild/what-happens-if-the-music-or-alter-ego-isn-t-well-received-the-fact/) [Musiq Soulchild](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/musiq-soulchild/) > [Wearing a corset, a ball gown, heels and a swan hat with wings to fight in the forest gave me a whole new appreciation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lily-collins/wearing-a-corset-a-ball-gown-heels-and-a-swan-hat-with-wings-to-fight/) [Lily Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lily-collins/) > [It's almost like it's my alter ego when I get on stage... I turn into this different person, seriously. Bipolar disorder. I'm tired of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/britney-spears/it-s-almost-like-it-s-my-alter-ego-when-i-get-on-stage-i-turn-into/) [Britney Spears](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/britney-spears/) > [The first thing Islam does is to destroy the self image of the believers. It convinces them that without Islam they are worthless creatures…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ali-sina/the-first-thing-islam-does-is-to-destroy-the-self-image-of-the/) [Ali Sina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ali-sina/) > [I loved the idea that I had an alter-ego but that my true identity was very well known and very much on the surface.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cody-rhodes/i-loved-the-idea-that-i-had-an-alter-ego-but-that-my-true-identity/) [Cody Rhodes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cody-rhodes/) > [I had this alter ego where I would go to the theater with mom. I wasn't embarrassed by it; it was separate for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jai-courtney/i-had-this-alter-ego-where-i-would-go-to-the-theater-with-mom-i-wasn/) [Jai Courtney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jai-courtney/) > [I wish I could escape into some alter-ego, just so I could feel more comfortable onstage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lana-del-rey/i-wish-i-could-escape-into-some-alter-ego-just-so-i-could-feel-more/) [Lana Del Rey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lana-del-rey/) > [Tulse Luper, who without too many confessions, in a sense, is a fictive version of me. I have to say he has far more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-greenaway/tulse-luper-who-without-too-many-confessions-in-a-sense-is-a-fictive/) [Peter Greenaway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-greenaway/) > [In America they like my spicy TV alter ego, probably because there were a lot of Italians and Hispanics in the country, but the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruno-tonioli/in-america-they-like-my-spicy-tv-alter-ego-probably-because-there/) [Bruno Tonioli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruno-tonioli/) > [When I go onstage, I kind of turn into a beast sometimes, this alter-ego, you know.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicole-scherzinger/when-i-go-onstage-i-kind-of-turn-into-a-beast-sometimes-this-alter/) [Nicole Scherzinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicole-scherzinger/) > [ “The First \[Friend\] is the alter ego, the man who first reveals to you that you are not alone in the world by turning… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis-2/the-first-friend-is-the-alter-ego-the-man-who-first-reveals-to-you/) [C.S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis-2/) > [I don't feel I have an alter ego.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dita-von-teese/i-don-t-feel-i-have-an-alter-ego/) [Dita Von Teese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dita-von-teese/) > [ The \[travel\] writer, looking back at the journey from a distance of a year or two (or three), is a different character from the… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-raban/the-travel-writer-looking-back-at-the-journey-from-a-distance-of-a/) [Jonathan Raban](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-raban/) [Browse all 79 Alter ego quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alter-ego/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The great corrupter of public men is the ego - corrupter because distracter. Wealth, sensuality, power cannot hold a candle to it. 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