"Power? It's like a Dead Sea fruit. When you achieve it, there is nothing there"
- Harold MacMillan
About this Quote
This quote by Harold MacMillan is a reflection on the nature of power. He suggests that power resembles a Dead Sea fruit, which is a fruit that is discovered in the Dead Sea region that is understood for being inedible. By comparing power to this fruit, MacMillan is suggesting that power is ultimately unfulfilling and unsatisfying. He suggests that when one attains power, they will find that there is absolutely nothing there, as the fruit is inedible. This quote is a pointer that power is not a source of true fulfillment and that it ought to not be searched for its own sake. Rather, MacMillan suggests that we should concentrate on other things that bring us pleasure and fulfillment, such as significant relationships and experiences. Eventually, this quote acts as a tip that power is an empty pursuit and that real fulfillment comes from other sources.
"Great talents are the most lovely and often the most dangerous fruits on the tree of humanity. They hang upon the most slender twigs that are easily snapped off"
"I like fruit baskets because it gives you the ability to mail someone a piece of fruit without appearing insane. Like, if someone just mailed you an apple you'd be like, 'huh? What the hell is this?' But if it's in a fruit basket you're like, 'this is nice!'"