Famous quote by John Kenneth Galbraith

Mobile Desktop
In the United States, though power corrupts, the expectation of power paralyzes
Like

"In the United States, though power corrupts, the expectation of power paralyzes"

- John Kenneth Galbraith

About this Quote

This quote by John Kenneth Galbraith talks to the concept that power can have a corrupting impact on people, however the expectation of power can be much more destructive. In the United States, the idea of power can be so alluring that it can lead people to do dishonest things in order to gain it. However, the expectation of power can be a lot more incapacitating, as it can lead individuals to end up being so focused on attaining power that they end up being unable to act. This can cause a lack of action and an absence of development, as people ended up being so focused on the concept of power that they forget to actually do something with it. Eventually, this quote speaks to the concept that power can be a corrupting impact, however the expectation of power can be a lot more damaging.

About the Author

USA Flag This quote is written / told by John Kenneth Galbraith between October 15, 1908 and April 29, 2006. He/she was a famous Economist from USA. The author also have 47 other quotes.

Go to author profile

Similar Quotes

Small: Power is given only to those who dare to lower themselves and pick it up. Only one thing matters, one thing to
Fyodor Dostoevsky
"Power is given only to those who dare to lower themselves and pick it up. Only one thing matters, one thing; to be able to dare!"
Fyodor Dostoevsky, Novelist
Small: Prestige is the shadow of money and power - C. Wright Mills
C. Wright Mills
"Prestige is the shadow of money and power"
C. Wright Mills, Sociologist
Small: Dont let your will roar when your power only whispers - Thomas Fuller
Thomas Fuller
"Don't let your will roar when your power only whispers"
Thomas Fuller, Clergyman
Small: Power wears out those who dont have it - Giulio Andreotti
Giulio Andreotti
"Power wears out those who don't have it"
Giulio Andreotti, Politician
Small: Hope... is the companion of power, and the mother of success for who so hopes has within him the gift of mirac
Samuel Smiles
"Hope... is the companion of power, and the mother of success; for who so hopes has within him the gift of miracles"
Samuel Smiles, Author
Small: The strength and power of despotism consists wholly in the fear of resistance - Thomas Paine
Thomas Paine
"The strength and power of despotism consists wholly in the fear of resistance"
Thomas Paine, Writer
Small: Concentrated power has always been the enemy of liberty - Ronald Reagan
Ronald Reagan
"Concentrated power has always been the enemy of liberty"
Ronald Reagan, President
Small: The power to question is the basis of all human progress - Indira Gandhi
Indira Gandhi
"The power to question is the basis of all human progress"
Indira Gandhi, Statesman
Small: True contentment is a thing as active as agriculture. It is the power of getting out of any situation all that
Gilbert K. Chesterton
"True contentment is a thing as active as agriculture. It is the power of getting out of any situation all that there is in it. It is arduous and it is rare"
Gilbert K. Chesterton, Writer
Small: There is only one way to happiness, and that is to cease worrying things which are beyond the power of our wil
Epictetus
"There is only one way to happiness, and that is to cease worrying things which are beyond the power of our will"
Epictetus, Philosopher