Absolute power Quote by Irvin D. Yalom
“Absolute power, as we have always known, corrupts absolutely; it corrupts because it does not do the trick for the individual. Reality always creeps in--the reality of our helplessness and our mortality; the reality that, despite our reach for the stars, a creaturely fate awaits us.”
About This Quote
Absolute power inevitably leads to corruption because it isolates individuals from reality, exposing their mortality and helplessness despite grand ambitions.
In simple terms: Power corrupts; reality reminds us of limits.
Key Takeaway
Power blinds to human frailty.
Themes
philosophy
psychology
power dynamics
existentialism
Mood
reflective
somber
Type
philosophical observation
psychological insight
When to use this quote
- political leadership
- corporate governance
- personal ambition
Key Concepts
corruption
mortality awareness
Practical Applications
- ethical checks on authority
- humility practices
Questions to Reflect On
- What safeguards can prevent power from corrupting?
- How does confronting mortality affect decision‑making?
A Different Perspective
Not all power leads to corruption; context and personal ethics matter.
![“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)
