---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Love of power, operating through greed…"
description: "\"Love of power, operating through greed and through personal ambition, was the cause of all these evils.\" — Thucydides"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7e9/thucydides-2578_ambition_love-of-power-operating-through-greed-an_2117428.png"
---

#  Love of power, operating through greed and through…

![“Love of power, operating through greed and through personal ambition, was the cause of all these evils.” quote by Thucydides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7e9/thucydides-2578_ambition_love-of-power-operating-through-greed-an_2117428.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7e9/thucydides-2578_ambition_love-of-power-operating-through-greed-an_2117428.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7e9/thucydides-2578_ambition_love-of-power-operating-through-greed-an_2117428.png)

> “Love of power, operating through greed and through personal ambition, was the cause of all these evils.”

[Thucydides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thucydides/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Greed and ambition drive destructive outcomes in societies.

**In simple terms:** Power lust causes harm.

Key Takeaway

Check motives before seeking power.

Themes

politics ethics corruption

Mood

cautious analytical

Type

historical philosophical

When to use this quote

- government decisions
- corporate leadership
- personal ambition
- social movements

Key Concepts

human nature political theory

Questions to Reflect On

- What checks can prevent power abuse?
- Can ambition be redirected constructively?

A Different Perspective

Power can also be used for positive change if guided ethically.

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