--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Let him then have powers commensurate…" description: "\"“Let him then have powers commensurate with his utmost possible need, only let him be held strictly responsible for the exercise of them. Any other cou..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a93/richard-henry-dana-jr-45372_fitness_let-him-then-have-powers-commensurate-wi_1908478.png" --- # Let him then have powers commensurate with his utmost… ![“Let him then have powers commensurate with his utmost possible need, only let him be held strictly responsible for the exercise of them. Any other course would be injustice as well as bad policy” quote by Richard Henry Dana Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a93/richard-henry-dana-jr-45372_fitness_let-him-then-have-powers-commensurate-wi_1908478.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a93/richard-henry-dana-jr-45372_fitness_let-him-then-have-powers-commensurate-wi_1908478.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a93/richard-henry-dana-jr-45372_fitness_let-him-then-have-powers-commensurate-wi_1908478.png) > ““Let him then have powers commensurate with his utmost possible need, only let him be held strictly responsible for the exercise of them. Any other course would be injustice as well as bad policy”” [Richard Henry Dana Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-henry-dana-jr/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Power should match necessity, and the holder must be fully accountable; otherwise it leads to injustice and poor governance. **In simple terms:** Match power to need and demand responsibility. Key Takeaway Ensure power is limited to need and enforce accountability. Themes responsibility justice governance power ethics Mood cautious critical thoughtful Type ethical political philosophical When to use this quote - government leadership - corporate management - resource allocation - public administration - legal frameworks Key Concepts social contract accountability policy design Questions to Reflect On - How can we design systems that enforce strict accountability? - What safeguards prevent power from exceeding need? 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