Frank HerbertAll governments suffer a recurring problem: Power attracts pathological personalities. It is not that power corrupts but that it is magnetic to the corruptible.
About This Quote
In a healthy society, individuals are responsible for their own actions. When a group of individuals holds horrible views, they will eventually cause problems. However, if the people in that group are not allowed to hold those views, then the group will disintegrate into nothing. The idea that power attracts corruptible people is often used by those seeking to hide or undermine the power of others.
It is also used to promote the idea that good people will lose out to the bad guys. This is inaccurate because good people can use their power for good purposes just as bad people can use their power for bad purposes.
Source: Chapterhouse: Dune
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