John Cooper Clarke Quotes

In the United States, though power corrupts, the expectation of power paralyzes.

Unlimited power corrupts the possessor.

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

A strength to harm is perilous in the hand of an ambitious head.

Authority poisons everybody who takes authority on himself.

I truly believe that all power corrupts. Such is probably the thinking behind every political film ever made in Hollywood.

Power is always a corrupting influence.

Most people who get into power in the western world start with great intentions, but slowly they all become entrapped and hung by their own petard.

I don't actually subscribe to the view that all power corrupts. But absolute power - when secured on the back of massive parliamentary majorities, which don't reflect the balance of political opinion in the country - can corrupt absolutely.

I believe the root of all evil is abuse of power.

If you really think that ambition, power, lust, desire are not as applicable in the media as in politics or on Wall Street or anywhere else, you're deluding yourself.

I am more and more convinced that man is a dangerous creature, and that power whether vested in many or few is ever grasping, and like the grave, cries, 'Give, give.'

Under every stone lurks a politician

I have the disease called politics.

Power corrupts the few, while weakness corrupts the many.

It is the curse of the Labor movement that, as soon as it has acquired a certain “power,” it seeks to enlarge this power by unprincipled means. Social-Democracy also was originally “pure” in almost all countries. Most Social-patriots of today were real Marxists. By Marxist propaganda the masses were won, and as soon as the party gained “power,” they [the principled means] were abandoned.

Sex and money always prowl in the penumbra of power.

Dictators have the power and funds to hire sycophants who encourage them in their delusions.

My three years in politics was very instructive about the way in which the appetite for political power can destroy a human mind, destroy principles and values, and transform people into little monsters.

As a young man, you're dazzled by the power of the White House and all that. But power tends to corrupt.

'House Of Cards' with Kevin Spacey - I love how it portrays humans in power as just like the rest of us - but even worse.

Not necessity, not desire - no, the love of power is the demon of men. Let them have everything - health, food, a place to live, entertainment - they are and remain unhappy and low-spirited: for the demon waits and waits and will be satisfied.

Corruption is just another form of tyranny.

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.