The intoxication of power rapidly sobers off in the knowledge of its restrictions and under the prompt reminder of an ever-present and not always considerate press, as well as the kindly suggestions that not infrequently come from Congress.
Interpretation
Power can be exhilarating, but its limitations and the scrutiny from others can quickly bring one back to reality.
This quote by William Howard Taft highlights the fleeting nature of the exhilaration that comes with power. While being in a position of authority may initially feel intoxicating, the awareness of the limitations that come with that power, as well as the constant scrutiny from the press and checks from legislative bodies like Congress, serve as a sobering reminder of the responsibilities and challenges associated with leadership.
In practice
This quote can be used during a leadership seminar to discuss the responsibilities that come with power.
The President can exercise no power which cannot be fairly and reasonably traced to some specific grant of power in the Federal Constitution or in an act of Congress passed in pursuance thereof. There is no undefined residuum of power which he can exercise because it seems to him to be in the public interest.
The secret of Masonry, like the secret of life, can be known only by those who seek it, serve it, live it. It cannot be uttered; it can only be felt and acted. It is, in fact, an open secret, and each man knows it according to his quest and capacity. Like all things worth knowing, no one can know it for another and no man can know it alone.
We must dare to be great; and we must realize that greatness is the fruit of toil and sacrifice and high courage.
I think his greatest fault is his failure to accord credit to anyone for what he may have done. This is a great weakness in any man.
There is nothing so despicable as a secret society that is based upon religious prejudice and that will attempt to defeat a man because of his religious beliefs. Such a society is like a cockroach - it thrives in the dark. So do those who combine for such an end.
As a people, we have the problem of making our forests outlast this generation, or iron outlast this century, and our coal the next; not merely as a matter of convenience or comfort, but as a matter of stern necessity.
Coaches are basically schizophrenic. We are pessimistic to the press and among fellow coaches, but to our team, we are the eternal optimists.
I am acutely aware that you have not elected me as your President by your ballots, so I ask you to confirm me with your prayers.
People always think the coach is the strongest person at a club, the boss, but in truth, he's the weakest link. We're there, vulnerable, undermined by those who don't play, by the media, by the fans. They all have the same objective: to undermine the manager.
A leader sees greatness in other people. He nor she can be much of a leader if all she sees is herself.
Lenience will operate with greater force, in some instances than rigor. It is therefore my first wish to have all of my conduct distinguished by it.
A good jockey doesn't need orders and a bad jockey couldn't carry them out anyway; so it's best not to give them any.
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