--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I have both held and beheld unlimited…" description: "\"I have both held and beheld unlimited power and of it I know but one thing. It drives men mad.' - Alexander the Great\" — Matthew Reilly" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/db8/matthew-reilly-27133_mad_i-have-both-held-and-beheld-unlimited-po_1797075.jpg" --- # I have both held and beheld unlimited power and of it I… ![“I have both held and beheld unlimited power and of it I know but one thing. It drives men mad.' - Alexander the Great” quote by Matthew Reilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/db8/matthew-reilly-27133_mad_i-have-both-held-and-beheld-unlimited-po_1797075.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/db8/matthew-reilly-27133_mad_i-have-both-held-and-beheld-unlimited-po_1797075.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/db8/matthew-reilly-27133_mad_i-have-both-held-and-beheld-unlimited-po_1797075.jpg) > “I have both held and beheld unlimited power and of it I know but one thing. It drives men mad.' - Alexander the Great” [Matthew Reilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-reilly/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Absolute power can corrupt and destabilize even the strongest minds. **In simple terms:** Power can drive people mad. Key Takeaway Beware the corrupting influence of power. Themes power corruption psychology Mood cautionary reflective Type historical philosophical When to use this quote - political leadership - military command - personal ambition Key Concepts hubris madness authority Questions to Reflect On - How does power affect decision making? - Can one stay grounded with great authority? A Different Perspective Power alone does not guarantee rational control. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Alexander Great](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alexander-great/) [Beheld Unlimited](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/beheld-unlimited-1997162/) [Mad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mad/) [Mad Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mad-alexander-1997161/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/power/) [Unlimited](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unlimited/) [Unlimited power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unlimited-power/) ## Related quotes > [I believe in the unlimited power of women in the context of science and engineering.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-holmes/i-believe-in-the-unlimited-power-of-women-in-the-context-of-science/) [Elizabeth Holmes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-holmes/) > [Trees have from time immemorial been closely associated with magic. These stout members of the vegetable kingdom may stand for as long as a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-cunningham/trees-have-from-time-immemorial-been-closely-associated-with-magic/) [Scott Cunningham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-cunningham/) > [I am a mortal enemy to arbitrary government and unlimited power.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/i-am-a-mortal-enemy-to-arbitrary-government-and-unlimited-power/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [The possession of unlimited power corrodes the conscience, hardens the heart, and confounds the understanding.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-acton/the-possession-of-unlimited-power-corrodes-the-conscience-hardens-the/) [Lord Acton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-acton/) > [A Heavenly Master governs all the world as Sovereign of the universe. We are astonished at Him by reason of His perfection, we honor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaac-newton/a-heavenly-master-governs-all-the-world-as-sovereign-of-the-universe/) [Isaac Newton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaac-newton/) > [We as a species have unlimited power of our mind. We can make anything happen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wim-hof/we-as-a-species-have-unlimited-power-of-our-mind-we-can-make-anything/) [Wim Hof](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wim-hof/) > [You don't just give the executive branch unlimited resources, unlimited power. Our founders were very concerned about too much power being invested in any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-huckabee/you-don-t-just-give-the-executive-branch-unlimited-resources/) [Mike Huckabee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-huckabee/) > [It's your unlimited power to care and to love that can make the biggest difference in the quality of your life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-robbins/it-s-your-unlimited-power-to-care-and-to-love-that-can-make-the/) [Tony Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-robbins/) > [I was actually telling people that - by harnessing the atom - we could enter a new era of unlimited power that would do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-r-brower/i-was-actually-telling-people-that-by-harnessing-the-atom-we-could/) [David R. Brower](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-r-brower/) > [There is nothing more corrupting, nothing more destructive of the noblest and finest feelings of our nature, than the exercise of unlimited power.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-henry-harrison/there-is-nothing-more-corrupting-nothing-more-destructive-of-the/) [William Henry Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-henry-harrison/) > [Unlimited power corrupts the possessor; and this I know, that, where law ends, there tyranny begins.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-pitt-1st-earl-of-chatham/unlimited-power-corrupts-the-possessor-and-this-i-know-that-where-law/) [William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-pitt-1st-earl-of-chatham/) > [It is not because a part of the government is elective, that makes it less a despotism, if the persons so elected, possess afterwards,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/it-is-not-because-a-part-of-the-government-is-elective-that-makes-it/) [Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) > [“Within all beings resides the unlimited power of the creative soul.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-corsen/within-all-beings-resides-the-unlimited-power-of-the-creative-soul/) [Kate Corsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-corsen/) > [Unlimited power is apt to corrupt the minds of those who possess it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-pitt-1st-earl-of-chatham/unlimited-power-is-apt-to-corrupt-the-minds-of-those-who-possess-it/) [William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-pitt-1st-earl-of-chatham/) > [The chief evil is unlimited government, and nobody is qualified to wield unlimited power.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-august-von-hayek/the-chief-evil-is-unlimited-government-and-nobody-is-qualified-to/) [Friedrich August von Hayek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-august-von-hayek/) ## More by Matthew Reilly > [A friend's loyalty lasts longer than their memory. Over the course of a long friendship, you might fight with your friend, even get angry…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-reilly/a-friend-s-loyalty-lasts-longer-than-their-memory-over-the-course-of/) [Matthew Reilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-reilly/) > [“Many humans live their entire lives without questioning the ‘truths’ they’ve been told.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-reilly/many-humans-live-their-entire-lives-without-questioning-the-truths/) [Matthew Reilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-reilly/) > [“So it is with Moslem women and their veils,’ Michelangelo said. ‘When they saw Muhammad’s wives wearing veils, they sought to imitate them, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-reilly/so-it-is-with-moslem-women-and-their-veils-michelangelo-said-when/) [Matthew Reilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-reilly/) > [“Mother yelled, 'Christ, this is the craziest snatch'n'grab I've ever seen!' 'It's desperation over style, Mother.' He hurried over to the tail end of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-reilly/mother-yelled-christ-this-is-the-craziest-snatch-n-grab-i-ve-ever/) [Matthew Reilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-reilly/) > [“what would Scarecrow do!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-reilly/what-would-scarecrow-do/) [Matthew Reilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-reilly/) > [“His actions had saved three US cities from annihilation but only a few very high-ranking people knew it. Fairfax was just pleased he could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-reilly/his-actions-had-saved-three-us-cities-from-annihilation-but-only-a/) [Matthew Reilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-reilly/) > [“I snorted. ‘For a great sultan who is lord and ruler of all that he surveys, his English is lamentably poor. He can’t even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-reilly/i-snorted-for-a-great-sultan-who-is-lord-and-ruler-of-all-that-he/) [Matthew Reilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-reilly/) > [“Why buy books when you can read them online”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-reilly/why-buy-books-when-you-can-read-them-online/) [Matthew Reilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-reilly/) > [“when are going”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-reilly/when-are-going/) [Matthew Reilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-reilly/) > [One of the things I have come up against time and again in my career is the notion that because a book is easy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-reilly/one-of-the-things-i-have-come-up-against-time-and-again-in-my-career/) [Matthew Reilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-reilly/) > [There is no such thing as an "aspiring writer". You are a writer. Period.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-reilly/there-is-no-such-thing-as-an-aspiring-writer-you-are-a-writer-period/) [Matthew Reilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-reilly/) > [“The Church’s war against women occurred not under Christ—who by all accounts held women as equals to men—but through the writings of St Irenaeus…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-reilly/the-church-s-war-against-women-occurred-not-under-christ-who-by-all/) [Matthew Reilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-reilly/) > [“mmmm, space stuff”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-reilly/mmmm-space-stuff/) [Matthew Reilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-reilly/) > [“That’s not the whole of it. As with many other faiths—including our own Christian one—a small group of zealots have distorted Islam to further…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-reilly/that-s-not-the-whole-of-it-as-with-many-other-faiths-including-our/) [Matthew Reilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-reilly/) > [“Jack quickly set about releasing Pooh Bear from his cage. Once he was free and standing on solid ground, Pooh gazed at Jack in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-reilly/jack-quickly-set-about-releasing-pooh-bear-from-his-cage-once-he-was/) [Matthew Reilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-reilly/) [Explore all 21 Matthew Reilly quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-reilly/) ## More Mad quotes > ['Mad TV' is one of my most favorite shows of all time and is a huge part of my obsession with sketch comedy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shane-dawson/mad-tv-is-one-of-my-most-favorite-shows-of-all-time-and-is-a-huge/) [Shane Dawson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shane-dawson/) > [I was interested in all kinds of things, whether it be Avatar, Mad Men, Troy, 300, Battlestar Gallactica, or the poems of Horace and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-mendelsohn/i-was-interested-in-all-kinds-of-things-whether-it-be-avatar-mad-men/) [Daniel Mendelsohn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-mendelsohn/) > [I've always been a very restless person. I work hard, spend too much time looking after my son, I dance like a mad thing,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-coelho/i-ve-always-been-a-very-restless-person-i-work-hard-spend-too-much/) [Paulo Coelho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-coelho/) > [Not everyone is capable of madness; and of those lucky enough to be capable, not many have the courage for it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/august-strindberg/not-everyone-is-capable-of-madness-and-of-those-lucky-enough-to-be/) [August Strindberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/august-strindberg/) > [Sometimes I am a collector of data, and only a collector, and am likely to be gross and miserly, piling up notes, pleased with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-fort/sometimes-i-am-a-collector-of-data-and-only-a-collector-and-am-likely/) [Charles Fort](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-fort/) > [You get those hunger pains. 'I am so hungry. We don't have any food. What are we going to eat?' Your stomach hurts. Then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-mclemore/you-get-those-hunger-pains-i-am-so-hungry-we-don-t-have-any-food-what/) [Ben McLemore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-mclemore/) > [My life always came first. When I got nominated for Diary of a Mad Housewife, I didn't think, 'Aah, now I'll get more money.'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carrie-snodgress/my-life-always-came-first-when-i-got-nominated-for-diary-of-a-mad/) [Carrie Snodgress](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carrie-snodgress/) > [I'm not mad at digital media at all; I just see the importance and beauty of physical media.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/el-p/i-m-not-mad-at-digital-media-at-all-i-just-see-the-importance-and/) [El-P](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/el-p/) > [The planet's survival has become so uncertain that any effort, any thought that presupposes an assured future amounts to a mad gamble.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elias-canetti/the-planet-s-survival-has-become-so-uncertain-that-any-effort-any/) [Elias Canetti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elias-canetti/) > [Most men are secretly still mad at their mothers for throwing away their comic books. They would be valuable now.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rita-rudner/most-men-are-secretly-still-mad-at-their-mothers-for-throwing-away/) [Rita Rudner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rita-rudner/) > [Your eyes are closed in hell and you haven't even opened them to see heaven.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/your-eyes-are-closed-in-hell-and-you-haven-t-even-opened-them-to-see/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You see all of us go through the same doubts. We are afraid of being mad; unfortunately for us, of course, all of us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-castaneda/you-see-all-of-us-go-through-the-same-doubts-we-are-afraid-of-being/) [Carlos Castaneda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-castaneda/) > [I don't think you can ever get used to being this famous. I've learnt how to keep things separate or at a distance. I've…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-styles/i-don-t-think-you-can-ever-get-used-to-being-this-famous-i-ve-learnt/) [Harry Styles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-styles/) > [Mothers." The man made a word sound like a curse. "I think birthing does something to your minds. You are all mad.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/mothers-the-man-made-a-word-sound-like-a-curse-i-think-birthing-does/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Helen Hunt is terrific, and I got to do a couple of guest spots with Helen and Paul Reiser on 'Mad About You.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lyle-lovett/helen-hunt-is-terrific-and-i-got-to-do-a-couple-of-guest-spots-with/) [Lyle Lovett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lyle-lovett/) [Browse all 2,874 Mad quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mad/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I have both held and beheld unlimited power and of it I know but one thing. It drives men mad.' - Alexander the Great", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Matthew Reilly" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-reilly/i-have-both-held-and-beheld-unlimited-power-and-of-it-i-know-but-one/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Mad" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-reilly/i-have-both-held-and-beheld-unlimited-power-and-of-it-i-know-but-one/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/db8/matthew-reilly-27133_mad_i-have-both-held-and-beheld-unlimited-po_1797075.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/db8/matthew-reilly-27133_mad_i-have-both-held-and-beheld-unlimited-po_1797075.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/db8/matthew-reilly-27133_mad_i-have-both-held-and-beheld-unlimited-po_1797075.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I have both held and beheld unlimited power and of it I know but one thing. It drives men mad.' - Alexander…” — Matthew Reilly", "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": "Matthew Reilly", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-reilly/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I have both held and beheld...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-reilly/i-have-both-held-and-beheld-unlimited-power-and-of-it-i-know-but-one/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-reilly/i-have-both-held-and-beheld-unlimited-power-and-of-it-i-know-but-one/#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 } } ] } ```