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Unlimited power is apt to corrupt the minds of those who possess it. — William Pitt, Earl of Chatham

Speech · Political speech

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

William Pitt, Earl of Chatham
1770
★ 1.9
Provenance
Citation
Pitt, William. Speech in the House of Lords on John Wilkes. 9 Jan. 1770, Palace of Westminster, Westminster, London, England, UK.

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Power may justly be compared to a great River, while kept within its due Bonds, is both Beautiful and Useful; but when it overflows its Banks, it is then too impetuous to be stemm'd, it bears down all before it, and brings Destruction and Desolation wherever it comes. If then this is the Nature of Power, let us at least do our Duty, and like wise Men (who value Freedom) use our utmost Care to support Liberty, the only Bulwark against lawless Power, which in all Ages has sacrificed to it's wild Lust and boundless Ambition, the Blood of the best Men that ever liv'd.

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