I have never known any distress that an hour's reading did not relieve.
Baron De MontesquieuRead
Every man who has power is impelled to abuse it.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote suggests that those who hold power are often driven to misuse it.
Baron De Montesquieu highlights a critical aspect of human nature where power has the potential to corrupt. The drive to abuse power is an inherent risk that comes with authority, emphasizing the need for checks and balances in any system where power is held by individuals or institutions.
Themes
PowerAbuseCorruptionAuthorityHuman Nature
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about leadership ethics, one might say, 'As Montesquieu warned, every man who has power is impelled to abuse it, reminding us to instill checks in our systems.'
More from Baron De Montesquieu
All quotes →Law in general is human reason, inasmuch as it governs all the inhabitants of the earth: the political and civil laws of each nation ought to be only the particular cases in which human reason is applied.
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To become truly great, one has to stand with people, not above them.
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Love of the republic in a democracy, is a love of the democracy; love of the democracy is that of equality. Love of the democracy is likewise that of frugality.
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It is not the young people that degenerate; they are not spoiled till those of mature age are already sunk into corruption.
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If you would be holy, instruct your children, because all the good acts they perform will be imputed to you.
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