Ralph Waldo Emerson Quotes

I know what you're going to say! 'They are men, and men should be free.' A free man is dangerous to himself and everyone else. Freedom should be left to those who can put it to good use.

The highest proof of virtue is to possess boundless power without abusing it.

The key things are about power and about growing up and realizing as you grow up that there are consequences for the choices you make, especially when you get seduced by power.

Democracy is like a tambourine, not everyone can be trusted with it.

When somebody promises to do something, you have to think about whether that's something that you would be willing to see happen because the powers are simply too vast.

You know what's wrong with humanity?... The greatest gift we were given is our free will, and we keep misusing it.

Power without abuse loses its charm.

Next to power without honor, the most dangerous thing in the world is power without humor.

When we, through our educational culture, through the media, through the entertainment culture, give our children the impression that human beings cannot control their passions, we are telling them, in effect, that human beings cannot be trusted with freedom.

I haven't changed a bit. I go out with my mates, but I probably have to watch what I do a little more.

I hope our wisdom will grow with our power, and teach us, that the less we use our power the greater it will be.

We are all of us the worse for too much liberty.

He who has great power should use it lightly.

I liked being a minor because you can't get into trouble. Now I just have to try and behave myself.

A person in my position has to restrain himself.

The only thing I can say about having this type of success is that you can get yourself in trouble because basically the world is set open for you. People will say yes to anything you ask, so it's basically down to you and what you want or need.

Those who have more power are liable to sin more; no theorem in geometry is more certain than this.

Do you think it’s wise, darling? You know you’ve got to rule this afternoon.

A man is the prisoner of his power.

None can love freedom heartily, but good men; the rest love not freedom but license.

If you want to test a man's character, give him power.

When you empower people you sign up for a life of uncertainty and change.

Absolute power should never be trusted to man. It has perverted the wisest heads, and corrupted the best hearts in the world. I should be afraid to commit my property, liberty and life to a body of angels for one whole year.

He who has the greatest power put into his hands will only become the more impatient of any restraint in the use of it.

What youth considers liberation, maturity considers tasteless excess.