--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Power with understanding is very good…" description: "\"Power with understanding is very good, but power without understanding is very dangerous\" — Tariq Ramadan" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d5e/tariq-ramadan-877_dangerous_power-with-understanding-is-very-good-bu_2432143.png" --- # Power with understanding is very good, but power without… ![“Power with understanding is very good, but power without understanding is very dangerous” quote by Tariq Ramadan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d5e/tariq-ramadan-877_dangerous_power-with-understanding-is-very-good-bu_2432143.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d5e/tariq-ramadan-877_dangerous_power-with-understanding-is-very-good-bu_2432143.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d5e/tariq-ramadan-877_dangerous_power-with-understanding-is-very-good-bu_2432143.png) > “Power with understanding is very good, but power without understanding is very dangerous” [Tariq Ramadan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tariq-ramadan/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Power coupled with understanding is beneficial, but power lacking understanding can be harmful. **In simple terms:** Power needs understanding to be safe. Key Takeaway Seek knowledge before wielding influence. Themes ethics leadership knowledge danger responsibility Mood cautious inquisitive Type philosophical critical When to use this quote - political leadership - corporate management - education policy Key Concepts moral philosophy cognitive bias authority dynamics Questions to Reflect On - How to ensure understanding translates to ethical use? - What safeguards are needed? A Different Perspective Understanding alone may not prevent misuse. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Learning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/learning/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/power/) [Understanding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/understanding/) ## Related quotes > [People with good intentions but limited understanding are more dangerous than people with total ill will.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr/people-with-good-intentions-but-limited-understanding-are-more/) [Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr/) > [Imperfect understanding is often more dangerous than ignorance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/imperfect-understanding-is-often-more-dangerous-than-ignorance/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Next to being a great poet, is the power of understanding one](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-wadsworth-longfellow/next-to-being-a-great-poet-is-the-power-of-understanding-one/) [Henry Wadsworth Longfellow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-wadsworth-longfellow/) > [There is power in understanding the journey of others to help create your own](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kobe-bryant/there-is-power-in-understanding-the-journey-of-others-to-help-create/) [Kobe Bryant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kobe-bryant/) > [I hope somewhere to break down what seems to be a kind of robotic communication between those in power and those who are understanding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-maitlis/i-hope-somewhere-to-break-down-what-seems-to-be-a-kind-of-robotic/) [Emily Maitlis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-maitlis/) > [For next to being a great poet is the power of understanding one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-wadsworth-longfellow/for-next-to-being-a-great-poet-is-the-power-of-understanding-one/) [Henry Wadsworth Longfellow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-wadsworth-longfellow/) > [There is often grace in silence. But there is always power in understanding.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michele-norris/there-is-often-grace-in-silence-but-there-is-always-power-in/) [Michele Norris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michele-norris/) > [Enthusiasm is the leaping lightning, not to be measured by the horse-power of the understanding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/enthusiasm-is-the-leaping-lightning-not-to-be-measured-by-the-horse/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Knowledge is not power, it is only potential. Applying that knowledge is power. Understanding why and when to apply that knowledge is wisdom!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/takeda-shingen/knowledge-is-not-power-it-is-only-potential-applying-that-knowledge/) [Takeda Shingen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/takeda-shingen/) > [You can't judge my choices without understanding my reasons.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-can-t-judge-my-choices-without-understanding-my-reasons/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“During a conversation, it is better to have an understanding without words, than words without understanding.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/during-a-conversation-it-is-better-to-have-an-understanding-without/) [Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/) > [Without self knowledge, without understanding the working and functions of his machine, man cannot be free, he cannot govern himself and he will always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/without-self-knowledge-without-understanding-the-working-and/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Life is demanding without understanding.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ace-of-base/life-is-demanding-without-understanding/) Ace Of Base > [I don't think we can fix poverty without fixing housing, and I don't think we can address housing without understanding landlords.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-desmond/i-don-t-think-we-can-fix-poverty-without-fixing-housing-and-i-don-t/) [Matthew Desmond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-desmond/) > [“Magic is dangerous: it's neither good nor bad, right nor wrong; it can be both a blessing and a curse. It takes strength, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-wallace/magic-is-dangerous-it-s-neither-good-nor-bad-right-nor-wrong-it-can/) [Daniel Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-wallace/) ## More by Tariq Ramadan > [Saying that the origin of the Islamic State (IS) is within the Muslim Brotherhood organisation only strengthens IS.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tariq-ramadan/saying-that-the-origin-of-the-islamic-state-is-is-within-the-muslim/) [Tariq Ramadan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tariq-ramadan/) > [We must master our egoism, and through this mastery, step outside ourselves and educate ourselves in giving. Fasting requires that we rediscover all that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tariq-ramadan/we-must-master-our-egoism-and-through-this-mastery-step-outside/) [Tariq Ramadan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tariq-ramadan/) > [I have learned that one should say "Peace!" to those who shout their hatred for one's being and presence or at one's passage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tariq-ramadan/i-have-learned-that-one-should-say-peace-to-those-who-shout-their/) [Tariq Ramadan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tariq-ramadan/) > [51% of the French people - who are not very religious - were thinking that what "Charlie Hebdo" did was unwise. They aren't asking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tariq-ramadan/51-of-the-french-people-who-are-not-very-religious-were-thinking-that/) [Tariq Ramadan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tariq-ramadan/) > [I wanted to understand. I'm not here to support one, but I am here to criticize all, on a principled position. I very much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tariq-ramadan/i-wanted-to-understand-i-m-not-here-to-support-one-but-i-am-here-to/) [Tariq Ramadan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tariq-ramadan/) > [Many U.S. organizations believe that I am being barred from the country not because of my actions but because of my ideas. The conclusion…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tariq-ramadan/many-u-s-organizations-believe-that-i-am-being-barred-from-the/) [Tariq Ramadan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tariq-ramadan/) > [There is the philosophy embedded in the culture we are living. It is quite clear for example that Arabs have a different culture than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tariq-ramadan/there-is-the-philosophy-embedded-in-the-culture-we-are-living-it-is/) [Tariq Ramadan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tariq-ramadan/) > [South Africa is labouring to find its revolutionary path; the colours of the Rainbow Nation have difficulty blending together; the wealthy elites (white, black…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tariq-ramadan/south-africa-is-labouring-to-find-its-revolutionary-path-the-colours/) [Tariq Ramadan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tariq-ramadan/) > [Acknowledged differences may create mutual respect, but hazy misunderstandings bring forth nothing but prejudice and rejection.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tariq-ramadan/acknowledged-differences-may-create-mutual-respect-but-hazy/) [Tariq Ramadan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tariq-ramadan/) > [It is of the highest importance to provide equal access to the labour market. Governments should act to establish equitable employment standards and penalise…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tariq-ramadan/it-is-of-the-highest-importance-to-provide-equal-access-to-the-labour/) [Tariq Ramadan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tariq-ramadan/) > [Wisdom is always connected to beauty. When you see someone acting by their principles, their wisdom makes them beautiful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tariq-ramadan/wisdom-is-always-connected-to-beauty-when-you-see-someone-acting-by/) [Tariq Ramadan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tariq-ramadan/) > [Your sensitivity is power. Don't let people transform your qualities into weaknesses.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tariq-ramadan/your-sensitivity-is-power-don-t-let-people-transform-your-qualities/) [Tariq Ramadan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tariq-ramadan/) > [The dogmatic and, therefore, invulnerable core in Islam is understandably simple: acknowledgement of faith, prayer, charity and fasting. Almost everything else is open to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tariq-ramadan/the-dogmatic-and-therefore-invulnerable-core-in-islam-is/) [Tariq Ramadan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tariq-ramadan/) > [It is like using a smoke screen, the same thing for an individual. The topic here is Islam. If French politicians are no longer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tariq-ramadan/it-is-like-using-a-smoke-screen-the-same-thing-for-an-individual-the/) [Tariq Ramadan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tariq-ramadan/) > [Humility is my table, respect is my garment, empathy is my food and curiosity is my drink. As for love, it has a thousand…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tariq-ramadan/humility-is-my-table-respect-is-my-garment-empathy-is-my-food-and/) [Tariq Ramadan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tariq-ramadan/) [Explore all 336 Tariq Ramadan quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tariq-ramadan/) ## More Dangerous quotes > [So the fool, as distinct from the scoundrel, is completely self- satisfied; in fact, he can easily become dangerous, as it does not take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dietrich-bonhoeffer/so-the-fool-as-distinct-from-the-scoundrel-is-completely-self/) [Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dietrich-bonhoeffer/) > [Every one knows that the exercise of military power is forever dangerous to civil rights; and we have had recent instances of violences that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-adams/every-one-knows-that-the-exercise-of-military-power-is-forever/) [Samuel Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-adams/) > [ Teaching might even be the greatest of the arts since the medium is the human mind and spirit. 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And it's a very, very dangerous thing to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/when-you-start-talking-about-elections-being-rigged-you-re-pushing/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [The Patriot Act is certainly a concern; all of those things are dangerous. I think more important than me preaching is that we as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-clooney/the-patriot-act-is-certainly-a-concern-all-of-those-things-are/) [George Clooney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-clooney/) > [Die gefährlichste Weltanschauung ist die Weltanschauung derer, die die Welt nie angeschaut haben. (The most dangerous worldview is the worldview of those who have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-von-humboldt/die-gef-hrlichste-weltanschauung-ist-die-weltanschauung-derer-die-die/) [Alexander von Humboldt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-von-humboldt/) > [The most dangerous creature here would have to be me. So maybe I'm just scared of my own shadow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haruki-murakami/the-most-dangerous-creature-here-would-have-to-be-me-so-maybe-i-m/) [Haruki Murakami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haruki-murakami/) > [The more people that learn about you, even if you're an underdog, then you can come under fire a lot and the more attention…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerard-way/the-more-people-that-learn-about-you-even-if-you-re-an-underdog-then/) [Gerard Way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerard-way/) > [Anyone who maintains absolute standards of good and evil is dangerous. As dangerous as a maniac with a loaded revolver.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-robbins/anyone-who-maintains-absolute-standards-of-good-and-evil-is-dangerous/) [Tom Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-robbins/) > [The proliferation of right-to-carry laws throughout the states has drawn plaintive complaints from the criminal element. 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