If multiculturalism succeeds in making us a nation of independently empowered tribes, each tribe will be deprived of the comfort of victimhood and be forced to confront human limitation for what it is: a fixture of life.
Jonathan FranzenRead
The possession of arbitrary power has always, the world over, tended irresistibly to destroy humane sensibility, magnanimity, and truth.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Arbitrary power tends to corrupt human values and virtues.
This quote by Frederick Law Olmsted emphasizes the corrupting influence of unchecked power on human dignity, compassion, and honesty. It suggests that when individuals possess power without accountability, they can become desensitized to the needs and values of others, leading to a deterioration of moral and ethical standards across societies.
Themes
PowerCorruptionHumanityTruthEthics
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about political power, this quote can illustrate the potential dangers of absolute authority.
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