No matter how powerful we are, or imagine ourselves to be, some people are stronger. However powerless we may feel, others are weaker. But like so many human assets, power can be both a crown and a cross. The advantages of having power are numerous, but they may inflate our sense of self-importance and encourages us to exploit other people.
The old adage that “power corrupts” is accurate, but as Adlai Stevenson said, “the absence of power also corrupts.”
If we want personal freedom, we must learn to temper appreciation for power when we have it with respect for others when they don’t. We must take responsibility for both our power and our helplessness. It sounds simple, but it isn’t easy.
Although it makes sense to seek power when we feel helpless, we must take responsibility for how we use whatever power we may attain.