It’s said that “power corrupts,” but actually it’s more true that power attracts the corruptible. The sane are usually attracted by other things than power. When they do act, they think of it as service, which has limits. The tyrant, though, seeks mastery, for which he is insatiable, implacable. -David Brin, scientist and science fiction author (b. 6 Oct 1950)
Image Credit :
GARY WATERS / GETTY IMAGES/IKON IMAGES
Intriguing !
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Well said 😀😀
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Macht gebruiken is nooit de juist instelling. Alhoewel bepaalde dat doen.
Aum Shanthi
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An excellent thought. Thank you for sharing. Stay safe.
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…and we’ve seen quite enough corruption here, sadly.
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Exactly my friend.
THIS is what prompted the quote.
So glad for Jane Fritz’s comment and post.
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“But the myth of power is, of course, a very powerful myth, and probably most people in this world more or less believe in it. It is a myth, which, if everybody believes in it, becomes to that extent self-validating. But it is still epistemological lunacy and leads inevitably to various sorts of disaster.”
Gregory Bateson
“What is true is that the idea of power corrupts. Power corrupts most rapidly those who believe in it, and it is they who will want it most. Obviously, our democratic system tends to give power to those who hunger for it and gives every opportunity to those who don’t want power to avoid getting it. Not a very satisfactory arrangement if power corrupts those who believe in it and want it.”
Gregory Bateson
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Thank you.
Forgive the late reply.
Due to unfortunate circumstances, I was away from my blog.
Hoping that those in power, learn from Mandela’s teaching.
This post was prompted by a turn of political events that had me fearful.
Praying that our children have a worthy future in this world we call home.
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You’re welcome. I think that prayer applies world wide.
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True 💯
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Very well stated.”Power attracts the corruptible”.Thank you very much for sharing.Take care🌹👍🙏
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So true & I am reading this not more than an hour after I posted this comment on my personal Facebook page “Power corrupts & absolute power corrupts absolutely. #congress” Our political climate in America is horrible.
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What a thoroughly distressing quote, Kavitha. It’s certainly true about tyrants, but one hopes there remain those who are driven by service. What about Mandela, for starters?!
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So glad that I threw this out there.
….and that you offered your view and elaborated on it in your post.
Our Madiba was in a class of his own.
One hopes that there are those that are inspired to continue to serve like our late Priscilla Jana.
https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/south-africa/2020-10-12-priscilla-jana-the-gutsy-lawyer-who-fought-tirelessly-to-dismantle-apartheid/
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Thanks for the inspiration, Kavitha, and thanks for introducing me to your impressive Priscilla Jana. I did not know about her. Those are the kinds of people the world needs FAR more of!
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We have real gems here Jane. Some sadly get glossed over.
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Pingback: Does power inevitably corrupt? Really? | Robby Robin's Journey
Reblogged this on By the Mighty Mumford and commented:
THIS TOO, IS TRUE!! 😀
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very true!
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The image is so true about false sense of entitlement and this whole superiority pedestal breeding arrogance. So true, Kavitha!
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Well said Vish
💯
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😱🤔🤔🤔🤔
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Very true. Power doesn’t really corrupt. It only reveals a person’s character.
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true indeed……….
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