Ethics Quote by J. William Fulbright
“Power tends to confuse itself with virtue, and a great nation is peculiarly susceptible to the idea that its power is a sign of God's favor.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Remarks on Power and Nationhood, 1970s
Power often masquerades as moral superiority, leading nations to mistake dominance for divine approval.
In simple terms: Power can be mistaken for virtue.
Key Takeaway
Question authority, not just strength.
Themes
politics
ethics
nationalism
Mood
cautious
critical
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- government policy
- international relations
- public discourse
Key Concepts
power
virtue
divine right
hubris
Questions to Reflect On
- How does a society guard against conflating power with virtue?
- What checks prevent power from being seen as divine favor?
A Different Perspective
Power can be misused when unexamined.
![“To give [the Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba] even covert support is on a par with the hypocrisy and cynicism for which the United States is constantly denouncing the Soviet Union in the United Nations and elsewhere. This point will not be lost on the rest of the world, nor on our own consciences.” quote by J. William Fulbright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/48f/j-william-fulbright-7682_bay-of-pigs_to-give-the-bay-of-pigs-invasion-of-cuba_203573.jpg)
