Clive James Quotes

Power has long been regarded as morally corrosive, and we often suspect the intentions of those who seek it.

People who are in power make their arrangements in secret, largely as a way of maintaining and furthering that power.

Absolute power does not corrupt absolutely, absolute power attracts the corruptible.

The appalling reality in American politics today is that, when ideology and money mix, truth is a mere inconvenience.

Power without abuse loses its charm.

We're taught Lord Acton's axiom: all power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely. I believed that when I started these books, but I don't believe it's always true any more. Power doesn't always corrupt. Power can cleanse. What I believe is always true about power is that power always reveals.

I have always been fascinated by the corruption of power.

I don't know that Donald Trump really cares about what the outcome is, as long as he's in charge of it. Seeing whom he can steer in which direction and how far he can push them.

But constant experience shows us that every man invested with power is apt to abuse it, and to carry his authority as far as it will go.

There are two things that interest me - and they're both power, ultimately. One is not having it and one is abusing it.

What the proprietorship of these papers is aiming at is power, and power without responsibility—the prerogative of the harlot throughout the ages.

Suspect power more than vice.

Power is a very peculiar thing. It's like the ego. The ego's only there to keep you above water. Once we realize something good about ourselves, we have a tendency to abuse the gift.

One cannot hold power and not use it.

The mistakes (of leaders) are amplified by the numbers who follow them without question. Charismatic leaders tend to build up followings, power structures and these power structures tend to be taken over by people who are corruptible. I don't think that the old saw about 'power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely' is accurate: I think power attracts the corruptible.

I have plumbed the depth of human cowardice and I realized that there is only one way to be right, and that is to be in power.

Political organizations are formed to keep the powerful in power.

The problem with politics isn't the money; it's the power.

The respected intellectuals are those who conform and serve power interests.

You can't trust anybody with power.

A politician's goal is always to manipulate public debate. I think there are some politicians with higher goals. But all of them get corrupted by power.

Politics and power is a realm of relative influence.

If you think of paying court to the men in power, your eternal ruin is assured.

Authority poisons everybody who takes authority on himself.

Power is always a corrupting influence.