A great empire and little minds go ill together.
Edmund BurkeRead
Power gradually extirpates from the mind every humane and gentle virtue.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Power corrupts human virtues over time.
In this quote, Edmund Burke highlights the detrimental effect of power on human nature, suggesting that the accumulation of power can lead individuals to lose their compassion, kindness, and moral virtues. As power strengthens, it has the potential to erode the very qualities that make us humane and gentle, ultimately leading to a more brutal and unfeeling character.
Themes
PowerCorruptionHumanityVirtueMoral
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a discussion about political leadership and ethics.
More from Edmund Burke
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Flattery corrupts both the receiver and the giver.
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The hottest fires in hell are reserved for those who remain neutral in times of moral crisis.
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Society can overlook murder, adultery or swindling; it never forgives preaching of a new gospel.
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The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.
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