The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don't have any

The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don't have any

The essence of Government is power; and power, lodged as it must be in human hands, will ever be liable read more

The essence of Government is power; and power, lodged as it must be in human hands, will ever be liable to abuse.

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.

My opinion is, that power should always be distrusted, in
whatever hands it is placed.

My opinion is, that power should always be distrusted, in
whatever hands it is placed.

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.

The only power any government has is the power to crack down on criminals. Well, when there aren't enough criminals, read more

The only power any government has is the power to crack down on criminals. Well, when there aren't enough criminals, one makes them. One declares so many things to be a crime that it becomes impossible for men to live without breaking laws.

Odin, thou whirlwind, what a threat is this
Thou threatenest what transcends thy might, even thine,
For read more

Odin, thou whirlwind, what a threat is this
Thou threatenest what transcends thy might, even thine,
For of all powers the mightiest far art thou,
Lord over men on earth, and Gods in Heaven;
Yet even from thee thyself hath been withheld
One thing--to undo what thou thyself hast ruled.

Power is not alluring to pure minds

Power is not alluring to pure minds

We often say how impressive power is. But I do not find it impressive at all. The guns and the read more

We often say how impressive power is. But I do not find it impressive at all. The guns and the bombs, the rockets and the warships, are all symbols of human failure. They are necessary symbols. They protect what we cherish. But they are witness to hum.