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True power does not need arrogance, a long beard and a barking voice. True power strangles you with silk ribbons, charm and intelligence.
Oriana Fallaci
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Interpretation

What this quote means

True power is subtle and doesn't rely on loudness or aggression, but rather on grace and intelligence.

In this quote, Oriana Fallaci emphasizes that genuine power is not about overt displays of dominance or intimidation, such as having a loud voice or a commanding presence. Instead, true power lies in the ability to influence and lead through charm, subtlety, and intellectual prowess, suggesting that effective leadership and authority stem from a deeper, more refined understanding rather than forceful posturing.

Themes

PowerWisdomInfluenceIntelligenceCharm

In practice

Example use cases

In a leadership seminar when discussing effective leadership styles.

More from Oriana Fallaci

I leave shreds of my soul on every experience.
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I know ours is a world made by men for men, their dictatorship is so ancient it even extends to language.
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A lot of women ask themselves why they should bring a child into the world? So that it will be hungry, so that it will be cold, so that it will be betrayed and humiliated, so that it will be slaughtered by war or disease? They reject the hope that its hunger will be satisfied, its cold warmed, that loyalty and respect will accompany it through life, that it will be a devote a life to the effort to eliminate war and disease.
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You cannot govern, you cannot administrate, with an ignoramus.
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What are the symbols of American strength, wealth, power and modernity? Certainly not jazz and rock and roll, not chewing-gum or hamburgers, Broadway or Hollywood. It's their skyscrapers. Their Pentagon. Their science. Their technology.
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I am known for a life spent in the struggle for freedom, and freedom includes the freedom of religion.
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