We have not overthrown the divine right of kings to fall down for the divine right of experts.
Harold MacmillanRead
Power? It's like a Dead Sea fruit. When you achieve it, there is nothing there.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The pursuit of power may lead to disappointment and emptiness, revealing that true worth lies elsewhere.
In this quote, Harold Macmillan compares power to a 'Dead Sea fruit,' suggesting that while it may seem desirable and rewarding at first, once attained, it reveals itself to be unfulfilling or even meaningless. This metaphor illustrates the notion that the quest for power can often lead to disillusionment, highlighting the importance of seeking deeper values and connections rather than superficial gains.
Themes
PowerEmptinessDisappointmentMeaningFulfillment
In practice
Example use cases
During a speech on leadership, one might quote Macmillan to emphasize the importance of inner strength over mere authority.
More from Harold Macmillan
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(A Foreign Secretary) is forever poised between the cliche and the indiscretion.
Harold MacmillanRead
The wind of change is blowing through the continent. Whether we like it or not, this growth of national consciousness is a political fact.
Harold MacmillanRead
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