Unlimited power is apt to corrupt the minds of those who possess it.

William Pitt, Earl of Chatham

More information about this quote

Topic

Nature of power Absolute power Power

Speaker

William Pitt, Earl of Chatham

Medium

Speech

Genre

Political speech

Language

English

Time

1770 1770s 18th century

Occupation

National leader Politician

From

United Kingdom Europe

Authentication Score 3

Citation

Pitt, William. Speech in the House of Lords on John Wilkes. 9 Jan. 1770, Palace of Westminster, Westminster, London, England, UK.

Illustrated Quote

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Related Quotes

Below are one or more quotes that share at least one tag with the quote at the top of the page

Another quote from the 1770s

These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly; it is dearness only that gives everything its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed, if so celestial and article as Freedom should not be highly rated.

Thomas Paine

The American Crisis

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More information about this quote
Topic
Price of freedom Benefits of adversity American Revolution

Author

Thomas Paine
Source
The American Crisis
Genre
Political literature
Language
English
Time
1776 1770s 18th century
Authentication Score 3
Original Citation

Paine, Thomas. The American Crisis: Number 1. Philadelphia: Styner and Cist, 1776.

Current Citation

Paine, Thomas. "The American Crisis, Number I, December 19, 1776." Common Sense, The Crisis, & Other Writings from the American Revolution. Library of America, 2015.

Another quote about Power

Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men.

Lord Acton

More information about this quote
Topic
Abuse of power Power Great men Corruption
Speaker
Lord Acton
Source
Letters of Lord Acton
Medium
Letter
Statement Type
Proverbs, aphorisms and adages
Language
English
Time
1887 1880s 19th century
Authentication Score 0
Citation

Lord Acton. Letter to Archbishop Mandell Creighton. 5 Apr. 1887.

Another quote from the following genre Political speech

Outside the Kingdom of the Lord there is no nation which is greater than any other…God and history will remember your judgment.

Haile Selassie I

More information about this quote
Topic
International politics
Speaker
Haile Selassie I
Medium
Speech
Genre
Political speech
Language
Amharic
Time
1936 1930s 20th century
Authentication Score 1
Citation

Selassie, Haile. Appeal to the League of Nations. 30 June 1936, League of Nations, Geneva, Switzerland.