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Quotes about power

213 quotes from 148 people

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“When I use a word,” Humpty Dumpty said in rather a scornful tone, “it means just what I choose it to mean⁠—neither more nor less.”
“The question is,” said Alice, “whether you can make words mean so many different things.”
“The question is,” said Humpty Dumpty, “which is to be master⁠—that’s all.”
Lewis Carroll1832–1898Through the Looking-Glass (1871), Chapter VIIn context
- Talking
They were conquerors, and for that you want only brute force⁠—nothing to boast of, when you have it, since your strength is just an accident arising from the weakness of others.
Joseph Conrad1857–1924Heart of Darkness (1899), Part IIn context
- War & Peace
The conquest of the earth, which mostly means the taking it away from those who have a different complexion or slightly flatter noses than ourselves, is not a pretty thing when you look into it too much.
Joseph Conrad1857–1924Heart of Darkness (1899), Part IIn context
- Race
Of so little weight are the greatest services to princes, when put into the balance with a refusal to gratify their passions.
Jonathan Swift1667–1745Gulliver’s Travels (1726), Part I: A Voyage to Lilliput, Chapter VIn context
The number of those men who know how to use wholly irresponsible power humanely and generously is small. Everybody knows this, and the slave knows it best of all
Harriet Beecher Stowe1811–1896Uncle Tom’s Cabin (1852), Volume II, Chapter XXIXIn context
- Slavery
I have no spur
To prick the sides of my intent, but only
Vaulting ambition, which o’erleaps itself
And falls on th’ other
William Shakespeare1564–1616Macbeth (c. 1606), Act I, Scene VII, spoken by MacbethIn context
- Motivation & Goals
Now does he feel his title
Hang loose about him, like a giant’s robe
Upon a dwarfish thief.
William Shakespeare1564–1616Macbeth (c. 1606), Act V, Scene II, spoken by AngusIn context
- Leadership
There thou mightst behold the great image of authority: a dog’s obeyed in office.
William Shakespeare1564–1616King Lear (c. 1606), Act IV, Scene VI, spoken by LearIn context
- Government
Off with his head!
William Shakespeare1564–1616Richard III (c. 1593), Act III, Scene IV, spoken by RichardIn context
The King’s name is a tower of strength
Which they upon the adverse faction want.
William Shakespeare1564–1616Richard III (c. 1593), Act V, Scene III, spoken by King RichardIn context
- Leadership
Conscience is but a word that cowards use,
Devised at first to keep the strong in awe.
Our strong arms be our conscience, swords our law.
William Shakespeare1564–1616Richard III (c. 1593), Act V, Scene III, spoken by King RichardIn context
- Courage
- Morality
Men ought either to be well treated or crushed, because they can avenge themselves of lighter injuries, of more serious ones they cannot
Niccolò Machiavelli1469–1527The Prince (1532), Chapter IIIIn context
- Enemies
The chief foundations of all states, new as well as old or composite, are good laws and good arms; and as there cannot be good laws where the state is not well armed, it follows that where they are well armed they have good laws.
Niccolò Machiavelli1469–1527The Prince (1532), Chapter XIIIn context
- Laws
The sea does not belong to despots. Upon its surface men can still exercise unjust laws, fight, tear one another to pieces, and be carried away with terrestrial horrors. But at thirty feet below its level, their reign ceases, their influence is quenched, and their power disappears.
Jules Verne1828–1905Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas (1870), Part One, Chapter XIn context
- Freedom
I am the law, and I am the judge! I am the oppressed, and there is the oppressor!
Jules Verne1828–1905Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas (1870), Part Two, Chapter XXIIn context
- Justice