Robert G. Ingersoll Quotes

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.

Never descend to the ways of those above you.

when greed and fear are linked to power, you have a dangerous mix. We see that in political life. In part of the world, the mix of greed and fear means that those who get power become reluctant to give it back. One of the many things I like and admire in our democracies are the norms that make our leaders hand over power when voters tell them to

Most people can bear adversity; but if you wish to know what a man really is give him power.|

People will not follow a leader with moral incongruities for long. Every time you compromise character you compromise leadership. The foundation of firm leadership is character.

Man's sense of Morality tends to decrease as his Power increases

There is no stronger test of a person's character than power and authority, exciting as they do every passion, and discovering every latent vice.

If absolute power corrupts absolutely, does absolute powerlessness make you pure?

Some people are in positions of power, and when incentives go haywire, we are all human and it's easy to make mistakes. I am not saying everybody is Bernie Madoff.

Character in leadership is the most important balance for leadership. Without character, leaders have no safety. Leadership has no protection without character.

Circumstances do not make the man, they reveal him.

All dictators, the rich and famous, to the lowest security guard who holds a gun, easily forget that power is transitory.

It is said that power corrupts, but actually it's more true that power attracts the corruptible. The sane are usually attracted by other things than power.

Every one, more or less, loves Power, yet those who most wish for it are seldom the fittest to be trusted with it.

Circumstances do not determine a man, they reveal him.

All men having power ought to be distrusted to a certain degree.

It is abhorrent to me when a fine intelligence is paired with an unsavory character.

It is weakness rather than wickedness which renders men unfit to be trusted with unlimited power.

Men in authority tend to abuse it – not all men, but many.

Power reveals.

The essence of government is power; and power, lodged as it must be in human hands, will ever be liable to abuse

Power, lodged as it must be in human hands, will be ever liable to abuse.

I do not believe with the Rochefoucaults and the Montaignes that fourteen out of fifteen men are rogues. I believe a great abatement from that proportion may be made in favor of general honesty.

Character is what you are in the dark.

A great man’s actions are determined, if not foreordained, by his character.