"Power when wielded by abnormal energy is the most serious of facts"

Power in the hands of individuals or groups endowed with extraordinary energy becomes a force both formidable and deeply concerning. Henry B. Adams points to the unsettling consequences that emerge when those possessing unusual vigor or ambition are given authority. Such “abnormal energy” describes not mere enthusiasm, but an intensity that exceeds what society typically expects or can easily regulate, a fervor that may border on obsession or fanaticism.

When this singular intensity converges with power, the effects are far-reaching. Unlike power grounded in wisdom or tempered by restraint, power allied with abnormal energy can push boundaries, disrupt established orders, and lead to outcomes that are unpredictable or even dangerous. The seriousness arises from the fact that ordinary checks, ethical, institutional, or social, often fail to contain or direct such force effectively. History offers many examples: charismatic leaders who, driven by unyielding energy, orchestrate revolutions, reshaping societies for better or worse; industrious entrepreneurs whose relentless drive creates new industries while sometimes unleashing unforeseen social or environmental consequences.

Abnormal energy in power can bring remarkable progress but carries equal potential for destruction. The very characteristics that allow extraordinary individuals to overcome obstacles, persistence, focus, disregard for convention, also make them less susceptible to compromise or warning. If their vision aligns with the public good, societies may benefit. If not, the cost can be catastrophic, as the same abnormal energies can become reckless, intolerant, or tyrannical.

Ultimately, the convergence of power and abnormal energy is a pivotal matter precisely because it transcends normal expectations and ordinary safeguards. Its “seriousness” lies in its capacity to alter the course of events beyond the common reckonings of society, requiring vigilance, humility, and sometimes resistance from those affected. Adams speaks to the moral and practical urgency of recognizing and managing this most fraught combination within human affairs.