Absolute power Quote by Studs Terkel
“You know, 'power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely?' It's the same with powerlessness. Absolute powerlessness corrupts absolutely. Einstein said everything had changed since the atom was split, except the way we think. We have to think anew.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Interview with Studs Terkel, date unknown
Power, whether present or absent, can erode morality; even lacking authority can corrupt behavior.
In simple terms: Both power and powerlessness can corrupt.
Key Takeaway
Beware of moral decay in any position.
Themes
ethics
power
corruption
Mood
cautious
reflective
Type
philosophical
critical
When to use this quote
- political leadership
- corporate governance
- personal decision making
- community activism
Key Concepts
moral philosophy
psychology of authority
social responsibility
Questions to Reflect On
- How does powerlessness manifest in your life?
- What safeguards prevent ethical decline?
A Different Perspective
Absolute powerlessness is rare, making the claim speculative.
![“As Israel made the wants of his national existence the law of the world, as under the dominance of these wants he deified even his political vindictiveness; so the Christian made the requirements of human feeling the absolute powers and laws of the world. [T]hat is, indeed, only of man considered…” quote by Ludwig Feuerbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/dd1/ludwig-feuerbach-3406_abrahamism_as-israel-made-the-wants-of-his-national_31284.jpg)
