--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The ingredient that takes the natural…" description: "\"“The ingredient that takes the natural human inclination to sort, and adds to it the need to rank, is power.”\" — Debby Irving" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fb1/debby-irving-25569_nature_the-ingredient-that-takes-the-natural-hu_2477152.jpg" --- # The ingredient that takes the natural human inclination to… ![“The ingredient that takes the natural human inclination to sort, and adds to it the need to rank, is power.” quote by Debby Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fb1/debby-irving-25569_nature_the-ingredient-that-takes-the-natural-hu_2477152.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fb1/debby-irving-25569_nature_the-ingredient-that-takes-the-natural-hu_2477152.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fb1/debby-irving-25569_nature_the-ingredient-that-takes-the-natural-hu_2477152.jpg) > ““The ingredient that takes the natural human inclination to sort, and adds to it the need to rank, is power.”” [Debby Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debby-irving/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Power drives the human tendency to sort and rank, turning simple preference into hierarchical competition. **In simple terms:** Power fuels ranking. Key Takeaway Beware power‑driven hierarchies. Themes power ranking human nature Mood analytical critical Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - workplace promotions - academic grading - social media likes Key Concepts social hierarchy competition Questions to Reflect On - How does power influence your judgments? - Can ranking be used constructively? A Different Perspective Ranking can reinforce inequality. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/) [Power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/power/) ## Related quotes > [Man's rank is his power to uplift.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-macdonald/man-s-rank-is-his-power-to-uplift/) [George MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-macdonald/) > [I have had wealth, rank and power, but, if these were all I had, how wretched I should be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-aldiss/i-have-had-wealth-rank-and-power-but-if-these-were-all-i-had-how/) [Brian Aldiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-aldiss/) > [I hate the very human inclination towards insensitivity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/megan-mccafferty/i-hate-the-very-human-inclination-towards-insensitivity/) [Megan McCafferty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/megan-mccafferty/) > [“There is a natural human inclination to take advantage of grace in order to excuse sin.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-chapell/there-is-a-natural-human-inclination-to-take-advantage-of-grace-in/) [Bryan Chapell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-chapell/) > [Greatness by nature includes a power, but not a will to power. ... The great man, whether we comprehend him in the most intense…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-buber/greatness-by-nature-includes-a-power-but-not-a-will-to-power-the/) [Martin Buber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-buber/) > [Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers. Pray for powers equal to your tasks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phillips-brooks/do-not-pray-for-tasks-equal-to-your-powers-pray-for-powers-equal-to/) [Phillips Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phillips-brooks/) > [Next to the assumption of power was the responsibility of relinquishing it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-disraeli/next-to-the-assumption-of-power-was-the-responsibility-of/) [Benjamin Disraeli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-disraeli/) > [Movies have power. Power to impact society and the choices we make. I want to entertain, but I also want to say something to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gina-prince-bythewood/movies-have-power-power-to-impact-society-and-the-choices-we-make-i/) [Gina Prince-Bythewood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gina-prince-bythewood/) > [DECIDE, v.i. To succumb to the preponderance of one set of influences over another set.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/decide-v-i-to-succumb-to-the-preponderance-of-one-set-of-influences/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [The one means that wins the easiest victory over reason is terror and force.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adolf-hitler/the-one-means-that-wins-the-easiest-victory-over-reason-is-terror-and/) [Adolf Hitler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adolf-hitler/) > [You can draw power from everything in your life. 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