--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Where I cannot be moral, my power is gone." description: "\"Where I cannot be moral, my power is gone.\" — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/118/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe-36_character_where-i-cannot-be-moral-my-power-is-gone_2757170.jpg" --- # Where I cannot be moral, my power is gone. ![“Where I cannot be moral, my power is gone.” quote by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/118/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe-36_character_where-i-cannot-be-moral-my-power-is-gone_2757170.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/118/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe-36_character_where-i-cannot-be-moral-my-power-is-gone_2757170.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/118/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe-36_character_where-i-cannot-be-moral-my-power-is-gone_2757170.jpg) > “Where I cannot be moral, my power is gone.” [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Moral compromise erodes personal power and integrity. **In simple terms:** Losing morals loses power. Key Takeaway Uphold moral standards. Themes ethics power integrity Mood serious determined Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - decision making - leadership - self‑reflection - ethical training Key Concepts moral dilemmas personal agency Questions to Reflect On - What values guide your actions? - How to recover power after compromise? A Different Perspective Power can be regained through redemption. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Moral](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moral/) [Power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/power/) ## Related quotes > [When your will power is gone, you are helpless.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/el-debarge/when-your-will-power-is-gone-you-are-helpless/) [El DeBarge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/el-debarge/) > [“The sad truth is that nobody knows where all the power has gone. Power will definitely not shift back to ordinary voters if Britain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yuval-noah-harari/the-sad-truth-is-that-nobody-knows-where-all-the-power-has-gone-power/) [Yuval Noah Harari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yuval-noah-harari/) > [Let us rise in the moral power of womanhood; and give utterance to the voice of outraged mercy, and insulted justice, and eternal truth,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-weston-chapman/let-us-rise-in-the-moral-power-of-womanhood-and-give-utterance-to-the/) [Maria Weston Chapman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-weston-chapman/) > [It is not in violence and crime that our greatest danger lies. These evils are so perfectly apparent that they very quickly arouse the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-coolidge/it-is-not-in-violence-and-crime-that-our-greatest-danger-lies-these/) [Calvin Coolidge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-coolidge/) > [The story of the decadence of the cathedral as a moral power, a spiritual energizer in civilization, is the sad but inevitable story of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenkin-lloyd-jones/the-story-of-the-decadence-of-the-cathedral-as-a-moral-power-a/) [Jenkin Lloyd Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenkin-lloyd-jones/) > [“We do not need more intellectual power; we need more moral power. We do not need more knowledge; we need more character. We do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-coolidge/we-do-not-need-more-intellectual-power-we-need-more-moral-power-we-do/) [Calvin Coolidge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-coolidge/) > [We ask for nothing that is not ours by right, and herein lies the great moral power of our demand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-robeson/we-ask-for-nothing-that-is-not-ours-by-right-and-herein-lies-the/) [Paul Robeson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-robeson/) > [Since everything in nature answers to a moral power, if any phenomenon remains brute and dark, it is that the corresponding faculty in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/since-everything-in-nature-answers-to-a-moral-power-if-any-phenomenon/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Authority is mainly a moral power; therefore, it must first call upon the conscience, that is, upon the duty that each person has to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-john-xxiii/authority-is-mainly-a-moral-power-therefore-it-must-first-call-upon/) [Pope John XXIII](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-john-xxiii/) > [Woman is the companion of man, gifted with equal mental capacity...If by strength is meant moral power, then woman is immeasurably man's superior...If non-violence…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/woman-is-the-companion-of-man-gifted-with-equal-mental-capacity-if-by/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [The church is not a political power; it's not a party, but it's a moral power.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-benedict-xvi/the-church-is-not-a-political-power-it-s-not-a-party-but-it-s-a-moral/) [Pope Benedict XVI](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-benedict-xvi/) > [The Declaration has a moral power which is of enormous weight and influence. The statement of the rights represent a goal, or a standard,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-v-evatt/the-declaration-has-a-moral-power-which-is-of-enormous-weight-and/) H. V. Evatt > [Economic and military power can be developed under the spur of laws and appropriations. But moral power does not derive from any act of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-foster-dulles/economic-and-military-power-can-be-developed-under-the-spur-of-laws/) [John Foster Dulles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-foster-dulles/) > [Moral power is always more dangerous to an oppressor than political force.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/moral-power-is-always-more-dangerous-to-an-oppressor-than-political/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Humankind has the science and technology to destroy itself or to provide prosperity for all. But while science offers us these opportunities, science will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-beckett/humankind-has-the-science-and-technology-to-destroy-itself-or-to/) [Margaret Beckett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-beckett/) ## More by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe > [True works of art contain their own theory and give us the measurement according to which we should judge them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/true-works-of-art-contain-their-own-theory-and-give-us-the/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [I never believed in trying to do anything. Whatever I set out to do I found I had already accomplished.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/i-never-believed-in-trying-to-do-anything-whatever-i-set-out-to-do-i/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [All lyrical work must, as a whole, be perfectly intelligible, but in some particulars a little unintelligible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/all-lyrical-work-must-as-a-whole-be-perfectly-intelligible-but-in/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [We know accurately only when we know little, with knowledge doubt increases.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/we-know-accurately-only-when-we-know-little-with-knowledge-doubt/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [It is easier to perceive error than to find truth, for the former lies on the surface and is easily seen, while the latter…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/it-is-easier-to-perceive-error-than-to-find-truth-for-the-former-lies/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [There is no patriotic art and no patriotic science.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/there-is-no-patriotic-art-and-no-patriotic-science/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [The connoisseur of art must be able to appreciate what is simply beautiful, but the common run of people is satisfied with ornament](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/the-connoisseur-of-art-must-be-able-to-appreciate-what-is-simply/) [Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Nothing is worse than active ignorance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/nothing-is-worse-than-active-ignorance/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Let us not dream that reason can ever be popular. Passions, emotions, may be made popular; but reason remains ever the property of an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/let-us-not-dream-that-reason-can-ever-be-popular-passions-emotions/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Our foibles are really what make us lovable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/our-foibles-are-really-what-make-us-lovable/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Instruction does much, but encouragement everything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/instruction-does-much-but-encouragement-everything/) [Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Giving is the business of the rich.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/giving-is-the-business-of-the-rich/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Just begin and the mind grows heated; continue, and the task will be completed!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/just-begin-and-the-mind-grows-heated-continue-and-the-task-will-be/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [I look upon all four Gospels as thoroughly genuine, for there shines forth from them the reflected splendor of a sublimity proceeding from Jesus…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/i-look-upon-all-four-gospels-as-thoroughly-genuine-for-there-shines/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Whatever we may say against collections, which present authors in a disjointed form, they nevertheless bring about many excellent results. We are not always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/whatever-we-may-say-against-collections-which-present-authors-in-a/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) [Explore all 2,052 Johann Wolfgang von Goethe quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) ## More Character quotes > [This may sound strange, but although I feel like I know everything about my characters, the brand of shampoo they use, how many cavities…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-honeyman/this-may-sound-strange-but-although-i-feel-like-i-know-everything/) [Gail Honeyman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-honeyman/) > [I always like a character who makes me laugh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachael-stirling/i-always-like-a-character-who-makes-me-laugh/) [Rachael Stirling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachael-stirling/) > [Social responsibility above the level of family, or at most of tribe, requires imagination-- devotion, loyalty, all the higher virtues -- which a man…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-heinlein/social-responsibility-above-the-level-of-family-or-at-most-of-tribe/) [Robert A. Heinlein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-a-heinlein/) > [Reader, if you are gifted with nerves like mine, aspire to any character but that of a wit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-lamb/reader-if-you-are-gifted-with-nerves-like-mine-aspire-to-any/) [Charles Lamb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-lamb/) > [I'm often moved by the circumstances around some of my characters, but I don't think I've actually cried watching myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-winslet/i-m-often-moved-by-the-circumstances-around-some-of-my-characters-but/) [Kate Winslet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-winslet/) > [When you're on a daytime drama you get one page, you better damn well know your character. You better know what she would do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-hudgins/when-you-re-on-a-daytime-drama-you-get-one-page-you-better-damn-well/) David Hudgins > [It can sometimes make people fold into themselves and kind of run away, but I think in this case these characters are being forced…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-deschanel/it-can-sometimes-make-people-fold-into-themselves-and-kind-of-run/) [Emily Deschanel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-deschanel/) > [If you are well-mannered towards those whose views are similar to yours, you may be said to exhibit a fairly good character. But, if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-you-are-well-mannered-towards-those-whose-views-are-similar-to/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Democracy is based on the conviction that man has the moral and intellectual capacity, as well as the inalienable right, to govern himself with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/democracy-is-based-on-the-conviction-that-man-has-the-moral-and/) [Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/) > [In the fight between biology and morality, biology has commonly won in the end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/semir-zeki/in-the-fight-between-biology-and-morality-biology-has-commonly-won-in/) [Semir Zeki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/semir-zeki/) > [Your looks don't make you pretty, it's the person inside who makes you pretty!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-chan/your-looks-don-t-make-you-pretty-it-s-the-person-inside-who-makes-you/) [Aaron Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-chan/) > [I'm not a huge social media kind of guy, so I don't really know, I don't really ever get... at least in real life,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/freddie-stroma/i-m-not-a-huge-social-media-kind-of-guy-so-i-don-t-really-know-i-don/) [Freddie Stroma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/freddie-stroma/) > [If you stood me in a costume next to a computer graphic of the same-looking character, I think there would be a difference. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warwick-davis/if-you-stood-me-in-a-costume-next-to-a-computer-graphic-of-the-same/) [Warwick Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warwick-davis/) > [Courage: the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you can't practice any other virtue consistently](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/courage-the-most-important-of-all-the-virtues-because-without-courage/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [I'm a character actor - always have been, always will be - and historically, character actors don't come into their own until later in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-potts/i-m-a-character-actor-always-have-been-always-will-be-and/) [Annie Potts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-potts/) [Browse all 32,707 Character quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Where I cannot be moral, my power is gone.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Johann Wolfgang von Goethe" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/where-i-cannot-be-moral-my-power-is-gone/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Character" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/where-i-cannot-be-moral-my-power-is-gone/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/118/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe-36_character_where-i-cannot-be-moral-my-power-is-gone_2757170.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/118/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe-36_character_where-i-cannot-be-moral-my-power-is-gone_2757170.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/118/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe-36_character_where-i-cannot-be-moral-my-power-is-gone_2757170.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Where I cannot be moral, my power is gone.” — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Johann Wolfgang von Goethe", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Where I cannot be moral, my...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/where-i-cannot-be-moral-my-power-is-gone/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/where-i-cannot-be-moral-my-power-is-gone/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```