--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Power attracts the corruptible. Suspect…" description: "\"Power attracts the corruptible. Suspect all who seek it ... We should grant power over our affairs only to those who are reluctant to hold it and then ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e88/frank-herbert-262_affair_power-attracts-the-corruptible-suspect-a_2588470.jpg" --- # Power attracts the corruptible. Suspect all who seek it… ![“Power attracts the corruptible. Suspect all who seek it ... We should grant power over our affairs only to those who are reluctant to hold it and then only under conditions that increase that reluctance.” quote by Frank Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e88/frank-herbert-262_affair_power-attracts-the-corruptible-suspect-a_2588470.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e88/frank-herbert-262_affair_power-attracts-the-corruptible-suspect-a_2588470.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e88/frank-herbert-262_affair_power-attracts-the-corruptible-suspect-a_2588470.jpg) > “Power attracts the corruptible. Suspect all who seek it ... We should grant power over our affairs only to those who are reluctant to hold it and then only under conditions that increase that reluctance.” [Frank Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-herbert/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Power tends to corrupt; those who seek it often become the very problem they fear. **In simple terms:** Power attracts corruption. Key Takeaway Give power only to those reluctant to hold it. Themes power corruption leadership ethics Mood cautionary reflective Type philosophical political When to use this quote - government appointments - corporate boards - community leadership - activist movements Key Concepts political theory human nature responsibility Questions to Reflect On - What safeguards can prevent power abuse? - How to balance reluctance with competence? A Different Perspective Reluctant leaders may lack necessary ambition or expertise. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Affair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/affair/) [Power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/power/) [Reluctance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reluctance/) [Reluctant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reluctant/) ## Related quotes > [Absolute power does not corrupt absolutely, absolute power attracts the corruptible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-herbert/absolute-power-does-not-corrupt-absolutely-absolute-power-attracts/) [Frank Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-herbert/) > [Power attracts the corruptible. Suspect any who seek it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-herbert/power-attracts-the-corruptible-suspect-any-who-seek-it/) [Frank Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-herbert/) > [It is said that power corrupts, but actually it's more true that power attracts the corruptible. The sane are usually attracted by other things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-brin/it-is-said-that-power-corrupts-but-actually-it-s-more-true-that-power/) [David Brin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-brin/) > [All governments suffer a recurring problem: Power attracts pathological personalities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-herbert/all-governments-suffer-a-recurring-problem-power-attracts-3/) [Frank Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-herbert/) > [All governments suffer a recurring problem: Power attracts pathological personalities. It is not that power corrupts but that it is magnetic to the corruptible.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-herbert/all-governments-suffer-a-recurring-problem-power-attracts/) [Frank Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-herbert/) > [All governments suffer a recurring problem: Power attracts pathological personalities. 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