“Power does not corrupt.
Fear corrupts, perhaps fear of a loss of Power.”
– John Steinbeck
John Ernst Steinbeck (February 27, 1902 – December 20, 1968) was an American writer. He won the 1962 Nobel Prize in Literature “for his realistic and imaginative writings, combining as they do sympathetic humor and keen social perception.” He has been called “a giant of American letters.”
The Pulitzer Prize–winning The Grapes of Wrath (1939) is considered Steinbeck’s masterpiece, based on newspaper articles about migrant agricultural workers that he had written in San Francisco. It is commonly considered his greatest work.
Wikipedia
Power is defined among other things as control, authority, influence, mastery, domination, sway and leverage.
– New Oxford American Dictionary
Power can have many meanings…some beneficial, some detrimental.
Power is an ability inherent in all human beings, societies, and ways of life: parents, teachers, officers of the law, judges, governments, heads of state.
Some utilize their authority, influence, and talents to enrich, protect, and defend the lives, freedom, and rights of their fellow human beings.
Others strive, and often succeed, in controlling, dominating, and limiting the lives, freedom, and rights of the worlds inhabitants. They do this for many reasons…especially, the fear of losing power.
There are some who are complacent, content and unwilling to use their power to”rock the boat.” Perhaps, they, too, are influenced by fear…the fear of retribution.
There are others who are willing to accept the challenge and responsibility to stand up and not only rock the boat, but to sink it and build a new one.
We are all free to decide which path we will or will not take.
Choose carefully.
Do not be afraid.