"Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely"
- Lord Acton
About this Quote
This quote by Lord Acton is a warning about the threats of power. It recommends that when someone has power, it can cause corruption, and when somebody has absolute power, it can result in outright corruption. This implies that the more power someone has, the more likely they are to abuse it. This quote is a suggestion that power ought to not be ignored, and that it needs to be utilized responsibly. It also functions as a cautioning to those in positions of power to be aware of the potential for corruption and to use their power carefully. It is a reminder that power can be a harmful thing, which it ought to be used with care.