Absolute power Quote by Howard Nemerov
“Absolute power corrupts absolutely; and if you surrender your personal responsibility to a government which promises to take care of you, they will only take care of themselves.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: "The Power of Responsibility", 1972
Giving up personal responsibility to an overreaching state leads to loss of autonomy and self‑governance.
In simple terms: Surrendering responsibility gives power to others.
Key Takeaway
Guard your autonomy.
Themes
politics
ethics
freedom
Mood
cautious
critical
Type
political
ethical
When to use this quote
- voting decisions
- tax compliance
- community organizing
- personal budgeting
Key Concepts
Libertarianism
social contract
authority
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance personal duty with civic duty?
- When is it appropriate to delegate responsibility?
A Different Perspective
Absolute power can also be checked by collective action.
![“As Israel made the wants of his national existence the law of the world, as under the dominance of these wants he deified even his political vindictiveness; so the Christian made the requirements of human feeling the absolute powers and laws of the world. [T]hat is, indeed, only of man considered…” quote by Ludwig Feuerbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/dd1/ludwig-feuerbach-3406_abrahamism_as-israel-made-the-wants-of-his-national_31284.jpg)
