absolute power corrupts absolutely

absolute power corrupts absolutely

proverb One who holds unchecked power or authority is likely to become corrupt or abuse one's position. This phrase is usually attributed to 19th-century historian Lord Acton. He really started abusing the authority of his office when he was promoted to CEO. Absolute power corrupts absolutely.
See also: absolute, absolutely, corrupt, power
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

Absolute power corrupts absolutely.

Prov. One who has total authority is very likely to abuse his position. (This phrase was used by the British historian Lord Acton: "Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.") We thought that Johnson would be a responsible mayor, but within a year of taking office, he was as bad as all the rest. Absolute power corrupts absolutely.
See also: absolute, absolutely, corrupt, power
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • Beware of little expenses; a small leak will sink a great ship.
  • teach a man to fish
  • village
  • it takes a village
  • a woman's work is never done
  • bad habits die hard
  • chickens come home to roost
  • chickens come home to roost, one's
  • casu consulto
  • change horses in midstream, don't
References in periodicals archive
It would be right to say that the region certainly has to go a long way before adjusting to the imported western idea of democracy but should also does not approve of the despotic tendencies of their governments because power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.
Maybe it's because we've been starved for choice, and have learned the unfortunate lesson that absolute power corrupts absolutely, and Filipino politicians are the most corrupt of all.
'I have no doubt that you are all familiar with the maxim that says 'power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.' If you look at our history, you will find it strewn with strong men that have abused the due process, spurn the Rule of Law.
Lord Acton has reminded us that 'power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.'
'Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely and based on my background as a former lawyer, I hope to do the best for Malaysians to ensure that the executive is monitored by an effective Parliament,' she said.
A campaign spokesman could not immediately say how much was spent on the advertisements.<br />"Absolute power corrupts absolutely. And in Annapolis, Mike Miller has absolute power," Franchot writes in the full-page ad that appeared in the Prince George's Enquirer Gazette directly opposite a feature story on Miller seeking a 12th term in the Senate.<br />Franchotlauds what he calls a "new brand of politics and civic engagement to communities across our country" but adds such excitement "doesn't exist in Maryland."<br />"A major reason for our broken system is Senate President Mike Miller," writes Franchot.
If he will take immediate and concrete steps towards this direction, people will be convinced that he is not inclined to acquire more power and is really sincere in serving our country especially in fighting corruption because 'power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.'
It's true that absolute power corrupts absolutely, but a wafer-thin majority for any government could also be an occasion to worry, for that's when its insecure constituents become even more vulnerable to the lure of lucre.
In the mid-19th century, Sir John Dalberg-Acton summarised the effect power has on most human beings in one sentence: "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely." The only way to prevent a ruler from any class grabbing all the levers of power is through the rule of law, to which the highest in the land is subject, no matter from what background they originate.
Proverbs The world ain't flat And pigs can't fly You can't get water out of a stone You can't put a square peg in a round hole And you should never judge a book by its cover And a bird in the hand is worth more than two in the bush And of course, take it easy, never rush Yet, if you're not on time you will miss the bus And it's nice to be nice honest and true God save the Queen, Red White and Blue and God bless you, Yes, absolute power corrupts absolutely And you reap what you sow And never count your chickens until they hatch, Proverbs, proverbs, forever they'll last, Be honest and kind, Yet, if we practised an eye for an eye The world would be blind.
It's not good, unless one wishes away the following: "Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely." This statement credited to Lord Acton enshrines the realist's understanding that public power and public political power need limits.
Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. The overwhelming majority of Americans, about 80 percent, have negative views of the federal government.
"Power tends to corrupt," Lord Acton famously wrote in 1887, "and absolute power corrupts absolutely." Perhaps China will avoid this tendency, but it has been widespread throughout history.
As the women rise up to dominate the men who previously oppressed them, the truth behind the aphorism "absolute power corrupts absolutely" is revealed.