--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It's a general moral principle that the…" description: "\"“It's a general moral principle that the more power you have over someone, the greater your duty to use that power benevolently. Well, who is the one p..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d77/rick-hanson-10793_future-self_it-s-a-general-moral-principle-that-the_3074964.jpg" --- # It's a general moral principle that the more power you… ![“It's a general moral principle that the more power you have over someone, the greater your duty to use that power benevolently. Well, who is the one person in the world you have the greatest power over? It's your future self. You hold that life in your hands, and what it will be depends on how you…” quote by Rick Hanson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d77/rick-hanson-10793_future-self_it-s-a-general-moral-principle-that-the_3074964.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d77/rick-hanson-10793_future-self_it-s-a-general-moral-principle-that-the_3074964.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d77/rick-hanson-10793_future-self_it-s-a-general-moral-principle-that-the_3074964.jpg) > ““It's a general moral principle that the more power you have over someone, the greater your duty to use that power benevolently. Well, who is the one person in the world you have the greatest power over? It's your future self. You hold that life in your hands, and what it will be depends on how you care for it.”” [Rick Hanson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-hanson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Having power over others creates a moral duty to act kindly; the greatest power we hold is over our future selves, shaping our lives through care. **In simple terms:** Power over others demands kindness; we control our future self. Key Takeaway Treat your future self with compassion. Themes responsibility self‑care future ethics Mood reflective motivational Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - career decisions - health habits - financial planning - relationship building Key Concepts moral duty personal agency long‑term planning Questions to Reflect On - How will you care for your future self today? - What habits can you change now for long‑term benefit? A Different Perspective Future self‑control is limited by present habits and external constraints. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Benevolently Person](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/benevolently-person-5219619/) [Future self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/future-self/) [Greater Duty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/greater-duty-4781979/) [Greatest Power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/greatest-power-273869/) [Moral Principle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moral-principle-244067/) [Neuroscience](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/neuroscience/) [Power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/power/) [Principle Power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/principle-power-414696/) ## Related quotes > [There is no greater duty to the self than love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rex-ruthman/there-is-no-greater-duty-to-the-self-than-love/) [Rex Ruthman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rex-ruthman/) > [The duties are even more important than the rights; and in the long run I think that the reward is ampler and greater for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/the-duties-are-even-more-important-than-the-rights-and-in-the-long/) [Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/) > [A son has no greater duty, no higher good, than serving his parents.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-sathya-sai-baba/a-son-has-no-greater-duty-no-higher-good-than-serving-his-parents/) [Sri Sathya Sai Baba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-sathya-sai-baba/) > [Faith is such a principle of power. God works by power, but this power is usually exercised in response to our faith.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dieter-f-uchtdorf/faith-is-such-a-principle-of-power-god-works-by-power-but-this-power/) [Dieter F. Uchtdorf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dieter-f-uchtdorf/) > [Become aware of and recognize fully the fact that the Principle of Power within you is God Himself. You must consciously identify yourself with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wallace-d-wattles/become-aware-of-and-recognize-fully-the-fact-that-the-principle-of/) [Wallace D. Wattles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wallace-d-wattles/) > [ \[Republicans\] swapped principle for power. They ended up with neither. They deserved to lose. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-greenspan/republicans-swapped-principle-for-power-they-ended-up-with-neither/) [Alan Greenspan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-greenspan/) > [“What worked in war would likewise work in the place of peace. God's principle of power never altered because of circumstances. It takes as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-phillip-keller/what-worked-in-war-would-likewise-work-in-the-place-of-peace-god-s/) [W. Phillip Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-phillip-keller/) > [Lifting where we stand is a principle of power. Most of the priesthood bearers I know understand and live by this principle. They are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dieter-f-uchtdorf/lifting-where-we-stand-is-a-principle-of-power-most-of-the-priesthood/) [Dieter F. Uchtdorf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dieter-f-uchtdorf/) > [Liberty is not just an idea, an abstract principle. It is power, effective power to do specific things. There is no such thing as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dewey/liberty-is-not-just-an-idea-an-abstract-principle-it-is-power/) [John Dewey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dewey/) > [Power without principle is barren, but principle without power is futile. This is a party of government, and I will lead it as a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-blair/power-without-principle-is-barren-but-principle-without-power-is/) [Tony Blair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-blair/) > [“POWER PRINCIPLES PRINCIPLE #1 Power is about altering the states of others. PRINCIPLE #2 Power is part of every relationship and interaction. PRINCIPLE #3…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dacher-keltner/power-principles-principle-1-power-is-about-altering-the-states-of/) [Dacher Keltner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dacher-keltner/) > [You have that within you which is ever impelling you toward the upward and advancing way; and that impelling something is the divine Principle…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wallace-d-wattles/you-have-that-within-you-which-is-ever-impelling-you-toward-the/) [Wallace D. Wattles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wallace-d-wattles/) > [The Principle of Power gives us just what we ask of it; if we only undertake little things, it only gives us power for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wallace-d-wattles/the-principle-of-power-gives-us-just-what-we-ask-of-it-if-we-only/) [Wallace D. Wattles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wallace-d-wattles/) > [“Poetry is a principle of power invoked by all of us against our vanishing.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-grossman/poetry-is-a-principle-of-power-invoked-by-all-of-us-against-our/) [Allen Grossman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-grossman/) > [Want of principle is power. Truth and honesty set a limit to our efforts, which impudence and hypocrisy easily overleap.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-hazlitt/want-of-principle-is-power-truth-and-honesty-set-a-limit-to-our/) [William Hazlitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-hazlitt/) ## More by Rick Hanson > [ “\[I\]f you can be with the pleasant without chasing after it, with the unpleasant without resisting it, and with the neutral without ignoring it… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-hanson/i-f-you-can-be-with-the-pleasant-without-chasing-after-it-with-the/) [Rick Hanson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-hanson/) > [“inescapable physical or mental discomfort is the “first dart” of existence.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-hanson/inescapable-physical-or-mental-discomfort-is-the-first-dart-of/) [Rick Hanson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-hanson/) > [“The autobiographical self (D’Amasio 2000) incorporates the reflective self and some of the emotional self, and it provides the sense of “I” having a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-hanson/the-autobiographical-self-d-amasio-2000-incorporates-the-reflective/) [Rick Hanson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-hanson/) > [“I once heard a Native American teaching story in which an elder, a grandmother, was asked what she had done to become so happy,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-hanson/i-once-heard-a-native-american-teaching-story-in-which-an-elder-a/) [Rick Hanson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-hanson/) > [“Therefore, you can use your mind to change your brain to benefit your mind—and everyone else”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-hanson/therefore-you-can-use-your-mind-to-change-your-brain-to-benefit-your/) [Rick Hanson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-hanson/) > [“Whatever positive facts you find, bring a mindful awareness to them—open up to them and let them affect you. It’s like sitting down to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-hanson/whatever-positive-facts-you-find-bring-a-mindful-awareness-to-them/) [Rick Hanson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-hanson/) > [“Your brain is like Velcro for negative experiences but Teflon for positive ones.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-hanson/your-brain-is-like-velcro-for-negative-experiences-but-teflon-for/) [Rick Hanson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-hanson/) > [“that suffering is the result of craving expressed through the Three Poisons: greed, hatred, and delusion.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-hanson/that-suffering-is-the-result-of-craving-expressed-through-the-three/) [Rick Hanson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-hanson/) > [“Strength is often quiet, receptive determination rather than chest-thumping pushiness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-hanson/strength-is-often-quiet-receptive-determination-rather-than-chest/) [Rick Hanson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-hanson/) > [“A person is a human body-mind as a whole, an autonomous and dynamic system that arises in dependence upon human culture and the natural…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-hanson/a-person-is-a-human-body-mind-as-a-whole-an-autonomous-and-dynamic/) [Rick Hanson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-hanson/) > [“First darts are unpleasant to be sure. But then we add our reactions to them. These reactions are “second darts”—the ones we throw ourselves.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-hanson/first-darts-are-unpleasant-to-be-sure-but-then-we-add-our-reactions/) [Rick Hanson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-hanson/) > [ “Letting go of ill will does not mean passivity, silence, or allowing yourself or others to be harmed. \[...\] There is plenty of room… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-hanson/letting-go-of-ill-will-does-not-mean-passivity-silence-or-allowing/) [Rick Hanson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-hanson/) > [“Stress reduces serotonin, probably the most important neurotransmitter for maintaining a good mood.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-hanson/stress-reduces-serotonin-probably-the-most-important-neurotransmitter/) [Rick Hanson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-hanson/) > [“Experiences are thus incapable of being completely satisfying. They are an unreliable basis for true happiness. To”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-hanson/experiences-are-thus-incapable-of-being-completely-satisfying-they/) [Rick Hanson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-hanson/) > [“Nurturing your own development isn’t selfish. It’s actually a great gift to other people. The”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-hanson/nurturing-your-own-development-isn-t-selfish-it-s-actually-a-great/) [Rick Hanson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-hanson/) [Explore all 63 Rick Hanson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-hanson/) ## More Future self quotes > [We must be optimistic about the future because it's a self-fulfilling prophecy. If we are creative and ambitious, intelligent machines will liberate us and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garry-kasparov/we-must-be-optimistic-about-the-future-because-it-s-a-self-fulfilling/) [Garry Kasparov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garry-kasparov/) > [We might neglect our future selves because of some failure of belief or imagination.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-parfit/we-might-neglect-our-future-selves-because-of-some-failure-of-belief/) [Derek Parfit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-parfit/) > [Every day is a day you can be a better person than you were yesterday. So do something today that your future self will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-auliq-ice/every-day-is-a-day-you-can-be-a-better-person-than-you-were-yesterday/) [Oscar Auliq-Ice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-auliq-ice/) > [“What ever you decide to do, make sure it makes you happy. Do something today, that your future self will thank you for. Always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c/what-ever-you-decide-to-do-make-sure-it-makes-you-happy-do-something/) [c](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c/) > [“You're holding your future self responsible for something your past self didn't know anything about. You can't judge your past behavior because of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-k-blair/you-re-holding-your-future-self-responsible-for-something-your-past/) [E.K. Blair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-k-blair/) > [Back before 'Brick,' I wrote a short film that I never ended up shooting: hit men in the present who work for a mob…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rian-johnson/back-before-brick-i-wrote-a-short-film-that-i-never-ended-up-shooting/) [Rian Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rian-johnson/) > [The key to making healthy decisions is to respect your future self. Honor him or her. Treat him or her like you would treat…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-key-to-making-healthy-decisions-is-to-respect-your-future-self/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [We're all just memories of our future selves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reggie-watts/we-re-all-just-memories-of-our-future-selves/) [Reggie Watts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reggie-watts/) > [“A more productive mindset is to compare your current version of yourself with your ideal future self and to set goals to help you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-frey/a-more-productive-mindset-is-to-compare-your-current-version-of/) [Chuck Frey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-frey/) > [“Write your future self a letter and tell him how you are today I”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penn-brooks/write-your-future-self-a-letter-and-tell-him-how-you-are-today-i/) [Penn Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penn-brooks/) > [Do something today that your future self will thank you for.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/do-something-today-that-your-future-self-will-thank-you-for/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Do somthing today that your future self will thank you for.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patience/do-somthing-today-that-your-future-self-will-thank-you-for/) [Patience](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patience/) > [“BE KIND to your future self. Leave things as you would wish to find them tomorrow. You never wake up and say, "I'm glad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcia-k-matthews/be-kind-to-your-future-self-leave-things-as-you-would-wish-to-find/) [Marcia K. Matthews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcia-k-matthews/) > [In young adult novels and children's books, you stay in moment. The story goes through a school year or a weekend. You never get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacqueline-woodson/in-young-adult-novels-and-children-s-books-you-stay-in-moment-the/) [Jacqueline Woodson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacqueline-woodson/) > [Never forget when posting something on Instagram that it lasts forever. Instagram is embarrassing enough as is, so be careful. A post might not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cazzie-david/never-forget-when-posting-something-on-instagram-that-it-lasts/) [Cazzie David](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cazzie-david/) [Browse all 64 Future self quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/future-self/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“It's a general moral principle that the more power you have over someone, the greater your duty to use that power benevolently. Well, who is the one person in the world you have the greatest power over? It's your future self. 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