Barbara W. TuchmanChief among the forces affecting political folly is lust for power, named by Tacitus as "the most flagrant of all passions.
About This Quote
The line “Chief among the forces affecting political folly is lust for power, named by Tacitus as "the most flagrant of all passions." was written by the Roman historian Tacitus, best known for his work “The Annals”. The entire quote is about how it is easier to hold onto power than to release it, but that there is no greater agony than to lose power and then lose the desire to regain it. This applies to virtually everyone who holds power, not just politicians. Passion can be a powerful force, either for good or evil.
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