--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Power isn’t doing something terrible to…" description: "\"“Power isn’t doing something terrible to someone who’s weaker than you, Reiner. It’s having the strength to do something terrible, and choosing not to...." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4dd/jodi-picoult-45_power_power-isn-t-doing-something-terrible-to_1941381.jpg" --- # Power isn’t doing something terrible to someone who’s… ![“Power isn’t doing something terrible to someone who’s weaker than you, Reiner. It’s having the strength to do something terrible, and choosing not to.” quote by Jodi Picoult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4dd/jodi-picoult-45_power_power-isn-t-doing-something-terrible-to_1941381.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4dd/jodi-picoult-45_power_power-isn-t-doing-something-terrible-to_1941381.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4dd/jodi-picoult-45_power_power-isn-t-doing-something-terrible-to_1941381.jpg) > ““Power isn’t doing something terrible to someone who’s weaker than you, Reiner. It’s having the strength to do something terrible, and choosing not to.”” [Jodi Picoult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-picoult/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. True strength lies in restraint, not in exploiting power over the weak. **In simple terms:** Strength is choosing not to harm. Key Takeaway Practice restraint when powerful. Themes ethics power self‑control Mood thoughtful serious Type ethical philosophical When to use this quote - leadership - parenting - law enforcement - personal relationships Key Concepts moral philosophy psychology Questions to Reflect On - How do you define ethical use of power? - When is restraint harder than action? A Different Perspective Power can be misused even with good intentions. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/power/) [Strength](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strength/) ## Related quotes > [You couldn't have strength without weakness, you couldn't have light without dark, you couldn't have love without loss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-picoult/you-couldn-t-have-strength-without-weakness-you-couldn-t-have-light/) [Jodi Picoult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-picoult/) > [“Power isn't free. Energy isn't free. It has to be earned.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-oliver/power-isn-t-free-energy-isn-t-free-it-has-to-be-earned/) [Lauren Oliver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-oliver/) > [I never had, or wished for, power over you. That isn't true, of course. I wanted the greatest power of all. but not advantage,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shirley-hazzard/i-never-had-or-wished-for-power-over-you-that-isn-t-true-of-course-i/) [Shirley Hazzard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shirley-hazzard/) > [“If women had power, what would men be but women who can't bear children? And what would women be but men who can?...I mean,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ursula-k-leguin/if-women-had-power-what-would-men-be-but-women-who-can-t-bear-2/) Ursula K. Leguin > [“power that isn’t really justified by the will of the governed should be dismantled.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/power-that-isn-t-really-justified-by-the-will-of-the-governed-should/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [“Connor Mead: Someone once told me that the power in all relationships lies with whoever cares less, and he was right. But power isn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/connor-mead/connor-mead-someone-once-told-me-that-the-power-in-all-relationships/) Connor Mead > [The crux of our power isn't only in our voice. It is in our economic function in society.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/boots-riley/the-crux-of-our-power-isn-t-only-in-our-voice-it-is-in-our-economic/) [Boots Riley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/boots-riley/) > [If women had power, what would men be but women who can't bear children? And what would women be but men who can?" "Hah!"…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ursula-k-le-guin/if-women-had-power-what-would-men-be-but-women-who-can-t-bear/) [Ursula K. Le Guin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ursula-k-le-guin/) > [“Real power isn't the ability to harm or meddle, Real power is overcoming your frailty when every sinew of your mind tells you it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-moyle/real-power-isn-t-the-ability-to-harm-or-meddle-real-power-is/) Tony Moyle > [“Why is it so horrible?" I ask him. "Life. All this. Why do they need to make us do this? Why do they treat…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierce-brown/why-is-it-so-horrible-i-ask-him-life-all-this-why-do-they-need-to/) [Pierce Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierce-brown/) > [Power isn't real, and it isn't earned. If you act like you have it, suddenly you're leading everyone. Perception is reality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandra-c-pelosi/power-isn-t-real-and-it-isn-t-earned-if-you-act-like-you-have-it/) [Alexandra C. Pelosi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandra-c-pelosi/) > [“If you can accomplish it in your power, it isn’t big enough. Dig deeper.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taneka-rubin/if-you-can-accomplish-it-in-your-power-it-isn-t-big-enough-dig-deeper/) Taneka Rubin > [“Power isn't the big cars and bent slaves Power is your people in the streets as they drag you to prison.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sapphire-belucci/power-isn-t-the-big-cars-and-bent-slaves-power-is-your-people-in-the/) [Sapphire Belucci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sapphire-belucci/) > [We have power... Our power isn’t in a political system, or a religious system, or in an economic system, or in a military system;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-trudell/we-have-power-our-power-isn-t-in-a-political-system-or-a-religious/) [John Trudell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-trudell/) > [Without the ability to talk about government power, there's no way for citizens to make sure this power isn't being misused.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-swartz/without-the-ability-to-talk-about-government-power-there-s-no-way-for/) [Aaron Swartz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-swartz/) ## More by Jodi Picoult > [You get through it, you just never get over it](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-picoult/you-get-through-it-you-just-never-get-over-it/) [Jodi Picoult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-picoult/) > [“Let me guess," Eric says, "You never meant for it to happen." "Hell, yes, I did. I've wanted her since you two started dating."…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-picoult/let-me-guess-eric-says-you-never-meant-for-it-to-happen-hell-yes-i/) [Jodi Picoult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-picoult/) > [“It’s the difference between dancing along the eggshell crust of acquaintance and diving into the messy center of a relationship.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-picoult/it-s-the-difference-between-dancing-along-the-eggshell-crust-of/) [Jodi Picoult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-picoult/) > [Because hate's just the flip side of love. Like heads and tails on a dime. If you don't know what it feels like to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-picoult/because-hate-s-just-the-flip-side-of-love-like-heads-and-tails-on-a/) [Jodi Picoult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-picoult/) > [Some women are meant to change the world, while others are meant to hold it together. And then there are those of us who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-picoult/some-women-are-meant-to-change-the-world-while-others-are-meant-to/) [Jodi Picoult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-picoult/) > [I love feeling loved. I don't love knowing that I will always come in second place. I love the fact that at least sometimes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-picoult/i-love-feeling-loved-i-don-t-love-knowing-that-i-will-always-come-in/) [Jodi Picoult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-picoult/) > [“Music is the language of memory”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-picoult/music-is-the-language-of-memory/) [Jodi Picoult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-picoult/) > [But there is a different between mending someone who's broken and finding someone who makes you complete.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-picoult/but-there-is-a-different-between-mending-someone-who-s-broken-and/) [Jodi Picoult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-picoult/) > [“sometimes words are not big enough to contain all the feelings you are trying to pour into them. My”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-picoult/sometimes-words-are-not-big-enough-to-contain-all-the-feelings-you/) [Jodi Picoult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-picoult/) > [“The age wasn't as important as the milestones.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-picoult/the-age-wasn-t-as-important-as-the-milestones/) [Jodi Picoult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-picoult/) > [The night is falling down around us. Meteors rain like fireworks, quick rips in the seam of the dark... Every second, another streak of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-picoult/the-night-is-falling-down-around-us-meteors-rain-like-fireworks-quick/) [Jodi Picoult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-picoult/) > [“When she had packed all the artifacts that made up their personal history into liquor store boxes, the house became strictly a feminine place.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-picoult/when-she-had-packed-all-the-artifacts-that-made-up-their-personal/) [Jodi Picoult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-picoult/) > [“Maybe who we are isn't so much about what we do, but rather what we're capable of when we least expect it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-picoult/maybe-who-we-are-isn-t-so-much-about-what-we-do-but-rather-what-we-re/) [Jodi Picoult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-picoult/) > [“Here's what I hadn't realized : the mother you haven't seen for almost 36 years isn't your mother. She is a stranger. Sharing DNA…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-picoult/here-s-what-i-hadn-t-realized-the-mother-you-haven-t-seen-for-almost/) [Jodi Picoult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-picoult/) > [My brother believed in all sorts of mythical creatures: pixies, dragons, werewolves, honest men.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-picoult/my-brother-believed-in-all-sorts-of-mythical-creatures-pixies-dragons/) [Jodi Picoult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-picoult/) [Explore all 2,062 Jodi Picoult quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-picoult/) ## More Having strength quotes > [To have strength without knowing how to use it means nothing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-tsukiyama/to-have-strength-without-knowing-how-to-use-it-means-nothing/) [Gail Tsukiyama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-tsukiyama/) > [Anyone can practice. Young man can practice. Old man can practice. Very old man can practice. Man who is sick, he can practice. Man…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/k-pattabhi-jois/anyone-can-practice-young-man-can-practice-old-man-can-practice-very/) [K. Pattabhi Jois](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/k-pattabhi-jois/) > [The majority is the best way, because it is visible, and has strength to make itself obeyed. Yet it is the opinion of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blaise-pascal/the-majority-is-the-best-way-because-it-is-visible-and-has-strength/) [Blaise Pascal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blaise-pascal/) > [Having the strength to admit your weakness is what makes you strong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/having-the-strength-to-admit-your-weakness-is-what-makes-you-strong/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Always mystify, mislead, and surprise the enemy, if possible; and when you strike and overcome him, never let up in the pursuit so long…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stonewall-jackson/always-mystify-mislead-and-surprise-the-enemy-if-possible-and-when/) [Stonewall Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stonewall-jackson/) > [COURAGE is not having the strength to go on... it is going on when you DON'T HAVE the STRENGTH…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/courage-is-not-having-the-strength-to-go-on-it-is-going-on-when-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The smile on your mouth was the deadest thing alive enough to have strength to die. (from "Neutral Tones")](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-hardy/the-smile-on-your-mouth-was-the-deadest-thing-alive-enough-to-have/) [Thomas Hardy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-hardy/) > [“Sometimes grace is having the strength to persevere through the storm. Sometimes it's having the guts to rebuild, to take a chance, to follow…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cathleen-falsani/sometimes-grace-is-having-the-strength-to-persevere-through-the-storm/) [Cathleen Falsani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cathleen-falsani/) > [You have strengths within your team every single year and sometimes they stay the same, sometimes they change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dabo-swinney/you-have-strengths-within-your-team-every-single-year-and-sometimes/) [Dabo Swinney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dabo-swinney/) > [Have strength in yourself always .think and remember not just what you should do, but also what you want to do. (Ageha , Basara, Vol. 13)](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yumi-tamura/have-strength-in-yourself-always-think-and-remember-not-just-what-you/) [Yumi Tamura](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yumi-tamura/) > [“But there’s no power in having strength and brains, and yet waiting for God to fix things for you or take revenge for you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/octavia-e-butler/but-there-s-no-power-in-having-strength-and-brains-and-yet-waiting/) [Octavia E. Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/octavia-e-butler/) > [On this day, millions of people...throughout the world will gather to commemorate the life of Patrick, patron saint of Ireland. From his days as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/on-this-day-millions-of-people-throughout-the-world-will-gather-to/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [When habit has strengthened our sense of duties, they leave us no time for other things; but when young we neglect them and this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/when-habit-has-strengthened-our-sense-of-duties-they-leave-us-no-time/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [I gambled on having the strength to live two lives, one for myself and one for the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-benedict/i-gambled-on-having-the-strength-to-live-two-lives-one-for-myself-and/) [Ruth Benedict](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-benedict/) > [I think it's very refreshing to see women in cinema having strength and their own independent storyline.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haley-bennett/i-think-it-s-very-refreshing-to-see-women-in-cinema-having-strength/) [Haley Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haley-bennett/) Browse all 87 Having strength quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Power isn’t doing something terrible to someone who’s weaker than you, Reiner. 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