Evil Quote by Jacob Burckhardt
“Power is of its nature evil, whoever wields it.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Civilization of the Renaissance in Italy, 1863
Power tends toward corruption regardless of who holds it.
In simple terms: Power corrupts.
Key Takeaway
Beware power's corrupting influence.
Themes
politics
ethics
corruption
Mood
cautious
reflective
Type
philosophical
critical
When to use this quote
- government
- corporate leadership
- personal ambition
Key Concepts
absolute power
human nature
morality
Questions to Reflect On
- What safeguards can limit power abuse?
- Can power ever be purely good?
A Different Perspective
Power can also be used responsibly with checks.
![“Evil cannot be "treated" -- nor should it be. Evil has to [be] confronted and destroyed and it matters not why the evil is in play. Society has no obligation to try to rehabilitate evil.” quote by Bill O'Reilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b89/bill-o-reilly-1019_destroyed_evil-cannot-be-treated-nor-should-it-be_3597.jpg)
