William Blake Quotes

It is a curiosity of human nature that lack of self-assurance seems to breed an exaggerated sense of power and mission.

[Douglas] MacArthur is the type of man who thinks that when he gets to heaven, God will step down from the great white throne and bow him into His vacated seat.

Besotted with ambition, empires in our age have betrayed an astonishing propensity for self-inflicted wounds…. Of the dangers that threaten a Great Power, the most insidious come from within.

I'm not great enough to be humble.

No reasonable man would think more highly of himself because he has office or power in this world; he is no more than a prisoner whom the chief gaoler has set over his fellow-prisoners, until the executioner's cart comes for him too.

Power tends to corrupt if you're there too long.

Having conceived a violent enmity to them Caligula [The Roman Emperor] took possession of the synagogues in the other cities after beginning with those of Alexandria, by filling them with images and statues of himself...

I have always resented the way the other sultans and emirs of my time have become too caught up in glory, pride and wealth

Unbridled arrogance is worse than pride; for if pride will not break a superior, arrogance will not brook and equal.

Mad ambition trumpeteth to all

Would that the Roman people had but one neck!

President for Life, Protector of the People, Maximum Chief of the Revolution, Apostle of National Unity, Benefactor of the Poor, Grand Patron of Commerce and Industry, and Electrifier of Souls

As individuals, as families, as neighbors, as members of one community, people of all races and political views are usually decent, kind, compassionate. But in large corporations or governments, when great power accumulates in their hands, some become monsters even with good intentions.

That desire which is in us all to better other people's condition by having them think as we think.

I do not envy people who think they have a complete explanation of the world, for the simple reason that they are obviously wrong.

The true way to be deceived is to think oneself more knowing than others.

Although men are accused of not knowing their weakness, yet perhaps as few know their strength.

Kings are but men, are subject to all the passions and frailties of human nature, and consequently are too prompt to grasp at arbitrary power, and to wish to make all things bend and submit to their will & pleasure.

Power tends to confuse itself with virtue, and a great nation is particularly susceptible to the idea that its power is a sign of God's favor.

What millions died – that Caesar might be great!

Never underestimate a man who overestimates himself.

Pride is not the worst of sins. In fact, it's one of the most interesting ones.

Power, greed, and perhaps more than anything, ego, are powerful emotions and motivators.

Exercising power can do strange things to people. You can become convinced that you're irreplaceable. You can become convinced that you're always right. And I think the danger is the longer you stay in power, the more likely that is to happen.

It's very hard to argue with someone who thinks he is God because he makes a lot of money.