Men Quote by James F. Byrnes
“Power intoxicates men. It is never voluntarily surrendered. It must be taken from them.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Senate Address, 1945
Power is addictive; it is rarely given up willingly and must be seized.
In simple terms: Power is hard to relinquish and must be taken.
Key Takeaway
Beware of power’s allure.
Themes
politics
power
control
human nature
leadership
Mood
cautious
serious
analytical
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- corporate takeovers
- political coups
- organizational leadership
- activism
Key Concepts
political theory
psychology of authority
Questions to Reflect On
- What checks prevent abuse?
- How do you define legitimate authority?
A Different Perspective
Seizing power can lead to ethical compromises.
![“That country [Carthage] was rapidly sinking into the state of barbarism from whence it had been raised by the Phoenician colonies and Roman laws; and every step of intestine discord was marked by some deplorable victory of savage man over civilized society.” quote by Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/70c/edward-gibbon-710_barbarism_that-country-carthage-was-rapidly-sinkin_393.jpg)