O what is it proud slime will not believe
Of his own worth, to hear it equal praised
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O what is it proud slime will not believe
Of his own worth, to hear it equal praised
Thus with the gods?

To know the pains of power, we must go to those who have it; to
know its pleasures, we read more

To know the pains of power, we must go to those who have it; to
know its pleasures, we must go to those who are seeking it: the
pains of power are real, its pleasure imaginary.

Whoever can do as he pleases, commands when he entreats.
[Fr., Qui peut ce qui lui plait, commande alors read more

Whoever can do as he pleases, commands when he entreats.
[Fr., Qui peut ce qui lui plait, commande alors qu'il prie.]

Without his rod revers'd,
And backward mutters of dissevering power.

Without his rod revers'd,
And backward mutters of dissevering power.

Nothing destroys authority so much as the unequal and untimely interchange of power, pressed too far and relaxed too much.

Nothing destroys authority so much as the unequal and untimely interchange of power, pressed too far and relaxed too much.

Power is always dangerous. Power attracts the worst and corrupts the best.

Power is always dangerous. Power attracts the worst and corrupts the best.

So mightiest powers buy deepest calms are fed,
And sleep, how oft, in things that gentlest be!
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So mightiest powers buy deepest calms are fed,
And sleep, how oft, in things that gentlest be!
- Barry Cornwall (pseudonym of Bryan Waller Procter),

The imbecility of men is always inviting the impudence of power.

The imbecility of men is always inviting the impudence of power.

The only real power comes out of a long rifle.

The only real power comes out of a long rifle.