Man is so made that when anything fires his soul, impossibilities vanish.
Jean De La FontaineRead
Anyone entrusted with power will abuse it if not also animated with the love of truth and virtue, no matter whether he be a prince, or one of the people.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Power can corrupt individuals unless they are motivated by truth and virtue.
This quote highlights the inherent risk of power, suggesting that without a foundation of truth and virtue, any individual, regardless of their status, is likely to misuse the power they hold. It emphasizes the importance of moral integrity and a commitment to honesty as safeguards against the corruption that often accompanies authority.
Themes
PowerTruthVirtueCorruptionAuthority
In practice
Example use cases
During a leadership seminar, one might quote this when discussing ethical leadership.
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Everyone has his faults which he continually repeats: neither fear nor shame can cure them.
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