Robert Caro Quotes

When we lack integrity, we use power to control. When we lead with integrity, we use power to bless.

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.

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

In the truly great, virtue governs with the sceptre of knowledge.

Preachers say, "Do as I say, not as I do." But if a physician had the same disease upon him that I have, and he should bid me do one thing and he do quite another, could I believe him?

To lapse in fulness Is sorer than to lie for need, and falsehood Is worse in kings than beggars.

Great men never make bad use of their superiority. They see it and feel it and are not less modest. The more they have, the more they know their own deficiencies.

The man of upright life is obeyed before he speaks.

Good men who exercise power are really the most fascinating of all people.

Anyone entrusted with power will abuse it if not also animated with the love of truth and virtue, no matter whether he be a prince, or one of the people.

Never descend to the ways of those above you.

When power corrupts, poetry cleanses.

Power shows the man.

I have been young and am now old, and have not yet known an untruthful man to come to a good end.

Great leaders have no need for reputation. Reputation is what you are in public. Character is who you are in private.

I will not steep my speech in lies; the test of any man lies in action.

I know of people whose actions and words I admire and respect. Some are called "intellectuals," some are not.

Power to do good is the true and lawful act of aspiring; for good thoughts (though God accept them), yet towards men are little better than good dreams, except they be put in act; and that cannot be without power and place, as the vantage and commanding ground.

There is only one duty, only one safe course, and that is to try to be right and not to fear to do or say what you believe to be right. That is the only way to deserve and to win the confidence of our great people in these days of trouble.

That if you be honest and fair, your honesty should admit no discourse to your beauty.

Leaders must live by higher standards than their followers.

One person of integrity can make a difference.

... The future is very markedly in your hands, its value and its moral standing in the world and among ourselves. If you will take the power you have and use it, I have no fear of the outcome of the future.

Success gives the character of honesty to some classes of wickedness.