Quotation by

John Steinbeck

Power does not corrupt. Fear corrupts... perhaps the fear of a loss of power.

Power

Understanding this quote AI Analysis

Steinbeck suggests that having power itself doesn’t make people behave badly; instead, it is the fear of losing that power that leads to corruption. This means the anxiety about losing control or influence causes harmful actions, not the power alone.

More by this author

All quotes by John Steinbeck →

More quotes about Power

See all →

Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power.

Being powerful is like being a lady. If you have to tell people you are, you aren't.

Knowledge will give you power, but character respect.

All things are subject to interpretation whichever interpretation prevails at a given time is a function of power and not truth.

Character is power.

I hope our wisdom will grow with our power, and teach us, that the less we use our power the greater it will be.