Causes Quote by Leo Tolstoy
“What is the cause of historical events? Power. What is power? Power is the sum total of wills transferred to one person. On what condition are the willso fo the masses transferred to one person? On condition that the person express the will of the whole people. That is, power is power. That is, power is a word the meaning of which we do not understand.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: War and Peace, 1869
Power arises from the collective will of the people, but its true meaning is often misunderstood.
In simple terms: Power = collective will.
Key Takeaway
Question how power is justified.
Themes
politics
power
will
society
Mood
critical
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- elections
- revolutions
- leadership decisions
Key Concepts
Authority
legitimacy
social contract
Questions to Reflect On
- Who truly holds power in society?
- How does collective will translate to leadership?
A Different Perspective
Power can be abused despite popular support.
![“Well the first time I performed, my mom was like how she is now when sees me on stage – all red, smiling from ear to ear. So I don’t want to mess up, [be]cause she’s smiling. Seeing my mom happy is kind of like an overwhelming feeling.” quote by Chris Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/477/chris-brown-1887_causes_well-the-first-time-i-performed-my-mom-w_4699.jpg)