Our power is not so much in us as through us.
—Harry Emerson Fosdick (1878–1969) American Baptist Minister
The law always limits every power it gives.
—David Hume (1711–76) Scottish Philosopher, Historian
You commit a sin of omission if you do not utilize all the power that is within you. All men have claims on man, and to the man with special talents, this is a very special claim. It is required that a man take part in the actions and clashes of his time that the peril of being judged not to have lived at all.
—Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. (1809–94) American Physician, Essayist
The new source of power is not money in the hands of a few, but information in the hands of many.
—John Naisbitt American Trend Analyst
The best things in life are nearest: Breath in your nostrils, light in your eyes, flowers at your feet, duties at your hand, the path of right just before you. Then do not grasp at the stars, but do life’s plain, common work as it comes, certain that daily duties and daily bread are the sweetest things in life.
—Robert Louis Stevenson (1850–94) Scottish Novelist
If you call one thing good, you must call its opposite bad. If you think it wonderful to make a big profit in your business, you will also think it terrible if you incur a large loss. The idea is to live above the opposites.
—Vernon Howard (1918–92) American Spiritual Teacher, Philosopher
Knowledge is power. Rather, knowledge is happiness, because to have knowledge — broad, deep knowledge — is to know true ends from false, and lofty things from low. To know the thoughts and deeds that have marked man’s progress is to feel the great heartthrobs of humanity through the centuries; and if one does not feel in these pulsations a heavenward striving, one must indeed be deaf to the harmonies of life.
—Francis Bacon (1561–1626) English Philosopher
It is difficult to find a reputable American historian who will acknowledge the crude fact that a Franklin Roosevelt, say, wanted to be President merely to wield power, to be famed and to be feared. To learn this simple fact one must wade through a sea of
—Gore Vidal (1925–48) American Novelist, Essayist, Journalist, Playwright
Power is what men seek and any group that gets it will abuse it.
—Lincoln Steffens (1846–1936) American Journalist, Academic, Political Philosopher
Force is as pitiless to the man who possesses it, or thinks he does, as it is to its victims; the second it crushes, the first it intoxicates. The truth is, nobody really possesses it.
—Simone Weil (1909–1943) French Philosopher, Political Activist
Wherever there is authority, there is a natural inclination to disobedience.
—Thomas Chandler Haliburton (1796–1865) Canadian Author, Humorist, Businessperson, Judge
Frozen in fear, you avoid responsibility because you think your experience is beyond your control. This stance keeps you from making decisions, solving problems, or going after what you want in life.
—David Emerald
I am not interested in power for power’s sake, but I’m interested in power that is moral, that is right and that is good.
—Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929–68) American Civil Rights Leader, Clergyman
Willpower is the key to success. Successful people strive no matter what they feel by applying their will to overcome apathy, doubt or fear.
—Dan Millman (b.1946) American Children’s Books Writer, Sportsperson
Nothing has such power to broaden the mind as the ability to investigate systematically and truly all that comes under thy observation in life.
—Marcus Aurelius (121–180) Emperor of Rome, Stoic Philosopher
What you cannot see in the world is far more powerful than anything you can see.
—T. Harv Eker (b.1954) American Motivational Speaker, Lecturer, Author
Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom. Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is true power. If you realize that you have enough, you are truly rich.
—Laozi (fl.6th Century BCE) Chinese Philosopher, Sage
Most men want knowledge, not for itself, but for the superiority which knowledge confers; and the means they employ to secure this superiority are as wrong as the ultimate object, for no man can ever end with being superior, who will not begin with being inferior.
—Sydney Smith (1771–1845) English Clergyman, Essayist, Wit
Luck is always waiting for something to turn up. Labor, with keen eyes and strong will, always turns up something. Luck lies in bed and wishes the postman will bring news of a legacy. Labor turns out at six o’clock and with busy pen or ringing hammer, lays the foundation of a competence. Luck whines. Labor whistles. Luck relies on chance, labor on character.
—Richard Cobden
In fact, it was the largest expeditionary force of the 18th century. The largest, most powerful force ever set forth from Britain or any nation.
—David McCullough (b.1933) American Historian
Power corrupts, but lack of power corrupts absolutely.
—Adlai Stevenson (1900–65) American Diplomat, Politician, Orator
Power never takes a step back except in the face of more power.
—Malcolm X (1925–65) American Civil Rights Leader
Power always thinks it has a great soul and vast views beyond the comprehension of the weak.
—John Adams (1735–1826) American Head of State, Lawyer
The possession of power inevitably spoils the free use of reason.
—Immanuel Kant (1724–1804) Prussian German Philosopher, Logician
Make no small plans for they have no power to stir the soul.
—Niccolo Machiavelli (1469–1527) Florentine Political Philosopher
No one can tell you what is right for you except yourself. So start telling yourself what to do. If you blunder for ten years while thinking for yourself, that is rich treasure when compared with living these ten years under the mental domination of another.
—Vernon Howard (1918–92) American Spiritual Teacher, Philosopher
There is no happiness for people at the expense of other people.
—Anwar el-Sadat (1918–81) Egyptian Head of State, Political leader
Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.
—Leo Buscaglia (1924–98) American Motivational Speaker
A leader who doesn’t hesitate before he sends his nation into battle is not fit to be a leader.
—Golda Meir (1898–1978) Israeli Head of State
Responsibility walks hand in hand with capacity and power.
—Josiah Gilbert Holland (1819–81) American Editor, Novelist
Why slap them on the wrist with feather when you can belt them over the head with a sledgehammer.
—Katharine Hepburn (1907–2003) American Actor, TV Personality
When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace.
—Jimi Hendrix (1942–70) American Musician, Songwriter, Singer
Believe me, you can have anything you want–and in abundance-when you learn to tune into the power within, an infinitely greater power than electricity, a power you have had from the beginning.
—Roger McDonald (b.1941) Australian Novelist, Poet, Screenwriter, Writer
The earth seemed to move with me. I found a new source of power and beauty, a source I never knew existed.
—Roger Bannister (1929–2018) British Athlete, Neurologist
As electricity is a great power in the world, so the inner mind is the greatest power available to you. Neither operates independently; both depend upon a separate agency to ignite them to action, and both bring helpful or harmful results according to the wisdom or ignorance with which they are directed.
—Roger McDonald (b.1941) Australian Novelist, Poet, Screenwriter, Writer
Power? It’s like a Dead Sea fruit. When you achieve it, there is nothing there.
—Harold Macmillan (1894–1986) British Head of State
Calmness is the cradle of power.
—Josiah Gilbert Holland (1819–81) American Editor, Novelist
There must be, not a balance of power, but a community of power; not organized rivalries, but an organized peace.
—Woodrow Wilson (1856–1924) American Head of State
We pay a heavy price for our fear of failure. It is a powerful obstacle to growth. It assures the progressive narrowing of the personality and prevents exploration and experimentation. There is no learning without some difficulty and fumbling. If you want to keep on learning, you must keep on risking failure—all your life.
—John W. Gardner (1912–2002) American Government Official, Political leader
Power is not an institution, and not a structure; neither is it a certain strength we are endowed with; it is the name that one attributes to a complex strategical situation in a particular society.
—Michel Foucault (1926–84) French Philosopher, Critic, Historian
Not believing in force is the same as not believing in gravitation.
—Leon Trotsky (1879–1940) Russian Marxist Revolutionary
Alexander at the head of the world never tasted the true pleasure that boys of his own age have enjoyed at the head of a school.
—Hugh Walpole (1884–1941) English Novelist, Short Story Writer, Dramatist
The gift of mental power comes from God, Divine Being, and if we concentrate our minds on that truth, we become in tune with this great power.
—Nikola Tesla (1856–1943) Serbian-American Electrical Engineer, Inventor
What this power is I cannot say; all I know is that it exists and it becomes available only when a man is in that state of mind in which he knows exactly what he wants and is fully determined not to quit until he finds it.
—Alexander Graham Bell (1847–1922) Scottish-born American Inventor, Engineer, Academic
Arbitrary power is like most other things which are very hard, very liable to be broken.
—Abigail Adams (1744–1818) American First Lady
We cannot avoid using power, cannot escape the compulsion to afflict the world, so let us, cautious in diction and mighty in contradiction, love powerfully.
—Martin Buber (1878–1965) Austrian Jewish Theologian, Philosopher, Novelist
Faith—not a faith in one’s self or in one’s own powers but faith in principle; in the Something Great which upholds right, and which may be relied upon to give us the victory in due time. Without this faith it is not possible for any one to rise to real greatness.
—Wallace Wattles (1860–1911) American New Thought Author
He who pays the piper calls the tune.
—Common Proverb
Knowledge is the most democratic source of power.
—Alvin Toffler (1928–2016) American Writer, Futurist
A leader has the vision and conviction that a dream can be achieved. He inspires the power and energy to get it done.
—Ralph Lauren (b.1939) American Businessman
It doesn’t matter how one was brought up. What determines the way one does anything is personal power.
—Carlos Castaneda (1925–98) Peruvian-born American Anthropologist, Author
As poet-philosopher Rabindranath Tagore reminds us, “We cannot cross the sea merely by staring at the water”. Simplicity has power. And living on purpose comes to this: Just do it. How much simpler can we get?
—Dan Millman (b.1946) American Children’s Books Writer, Sportsperson
The point to remember is that when you blame any outside force for any of your experience of life, you are literally giving away all your power and thus creating pain, paralysis and depression.
—Susan Jeffers (1938–2012) American Psychologist, Self-Help Author
Simplicity has power. Founding our life on constructive, positive behavior is the simplest, most direct, and powerful approach I’ve ever found—simple, but not easy.
—Dan Millman (b.1946) American Children’s Books Writer, Sportsperson
Orators are most vehement when they have the weakest cause, as men get on horseback when they cannot walk.
—Cicero (106BCE–43BCE) Roman Philosopher, Orator, Politician, Lawyer
Power intoxicates men. When a man is intoxicated by alcohol, he can recover, but when intoxicated by power, he seldom recovers.
—Sappho (c.630–c.580 BCE) Greek Poet
Enthusiasm is one of the most powerful engines of success. When you do a thing, do it with all your might. Put your whole soul into it. Stamp it with your own personality. Be active, be energetic, be enthusiastic and faithful, and you will accomplish your object. Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
Ill can he rule the great that cannot reach the small.
—Edmund Spenser (1552–99) English Poet
This work somehow awakened my dormant powers of will and I began to practice self-control. At first my resolutions faded like snow in April, but in a little while I conquered my weakness and felt a pleasure I never knew before — that of doing as I willed.
—Nikola Tesla (1856–1943) Serbian-American Electrical Engineer, Inventor
The most exquisite paradox? As soon as you give it all up, you can have it all. As long as you want power, you can’t have it. The minute you don’t want power, you’ll have more than you ever dreamed possible.
—Ram Dass (1931–2019) American Hindu, New Age Pioneer
Your great power lies not on the surface, but deep within your being.
—Roger McDonald (b.1941) Australian Novelist, Poet, Screenwriter, Writer
Women have been conditioned to believe that to be powerful is unfeminine and unattractive. It is my experience that nothing could be further from the truth.
—Susan Jeffers (1938–2012) American Psychologist, Self-Help Author
The great question which, in all ages, has disturbed mankind, and brought on them the greatest part of those mischiefs, which have ruined cities, depopulated countries, and disordered the peace of the world, has been, not whether there be power in the world, not whence it came, but who should have it.
—John Locke (1632–1704) English Philosopher, Physician
There is great treasure there behind our skull and this is true about all of us. This little treasure has great, great powers, and I would say we only have learnt a very, very small part of what it can do.
—Isaac Bashevis Singer (1902–91) Polish-born American Children’s Books Writer, Novelist, Short Story Writer
Mighty things from small beginnings grow.
—John Dryden (1631–1700) English Poet, Literary Critic, Playwright
Men in great place are thrice servants; servants of the sovereign or state, servants of fame, and servants of business; so that they have no freedom, neither in their persons, in their actions, nor in their times.—It is a strange desire to seek power over others, and to lose power over a man’s self.
—Francis Bacon (1561–1626) English Philosopher
The need to exert power, when thwarted in the open fields of life, is the more likely to assert itself in trifles.
—Charles Cooley (1864–1929) American Sociologist
We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love.
—Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929–68) American Civil Rights Leader, Clergyman
The truth is that love and power go together.
—Susan Jeffers (1938–2012) American Psychologist, Self-Help Author
If you haven’t the strength to impose your own terms upon life, then you must accept the terms it offers you.
—T. S. Eliot (1888–1965) American-born British Poet, Dramatist, Literary Critic
The kind of power I’m talking about leaves you free, since you don’t expect the rest of the world to fill you up. It’s not the ability to get someone else to do what you want them to do. It’s the ability to get yourself to do what you want to do.
—Susan Jeffers (1938–2012) American Psychologist, Self-Help Author
Next to the assumption of power is the responsibility of relinquishing it.
—Benjamin Disraeli (1804–81) British Head of State
Taking responsibility means not blaming yourself… Anything that takes away your power or your pleasure makes you a victim. Don’t make yourself a victim of yourself!
—Susan Jeffers (1938–2012) American Psychologist, Self-Help Author
Power is the ultimate aphrodisiac.
—Henry Kissinger (b.1923) American Diplomat, Academician
I said to the almond tree, “Friend, speak to me of God,” and the almond tree blossomed.
—Nikos Kazantzakis (1883–1957) Greek Novelist, Poet, Dramatist
Every great advance in natural knowledge has involved the absolute rejection of authority.
—Thomas Henry Huxley (1825–95) English Biologist
Responsibilities gravitate to the person who can shoulder them; power flows to the man who knows how.
—Elbert Hubbard (1856–1915) American Writer, Publisher, Artist, Philosopher
We have, I fear, confused power with greatness.
—Stewart Udall (1920–2010) American Politician, Government Official, Author
When you are genuinely strong, you neither attack nor defend and so retain your energy.
—Vernon Howard (1918–92) American Spiritual Teacher, Philosopher
He that has one eye is a prince among those that have none.
—Thomas Fuller (1608–61) English Cleric, Historian
Power in America today is control of the means of communication.
—Theodore H. White (1915–86) American Journalist, Historian, Novelist
Powerful men in particular suffer from the delusion that human beings have no memories. I would go so far as to say that the distinguishing trait of powerful men is the psychotic certainty that people forget acts of infamy as easily as their parent’s birth.
—Stephen Vizinczey (b.1933) Hungarian-born Canadian Novelist, Literary Critic, Author
An honest private man often grows cruel and abandoned when converted into an absolute prince. Give a man power of doing what he pleases with impunity, you extinguish his fear, and consequently overturn in him one of the great pillars of morality.
—Joseph Addison (1672–1719) English Essayist, Poet, Playwright, Politician
Those in possession of absolute power can not only prophesy and make their prophecies come true, but they can also lie and make their lies come true.
—Eric Hoffer (1902–83) American Philosopher, Author
Had proven himself a leader of remarkable ability, a man not only of enterprising ideas, but with the staying power to carry them out.
—David McCullough (b.1933) American Historian
It is for us to pray not for tasks equal to our powers, but for powers equal to our tasks, to go forward with a great desire forever beating at the door of our hearts as we travel toward our distant goal.
—Helen Keller (1880–1968) American Author
Wherever there is a man who exercises authority, there is a man who resists authority.
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish Poet, Playwright
Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.
—Abraham Lincoln (1809–65) American Head of State
We should keep silent about those in power; to speak well of them almost implies flattery; to speak ill of them while they are alive is dangerous, and when they are dead is cowardly.
—Jean de La Bruyere (1645–96) French Satiric Moralist, Author
Shoulds bring on guilt and upset—totally draining emotions. Your power is taken every time you utter the words “I should”.
—Susan Jeffers (1938–2012) American Psychologist, Self-Help Author
A cock has great influence on his own dunghill.
—Publilius Syrus (fl.85–43 BCE) Syrian-born Roman Latin Writer
Nature arms each man with some faculty which enables him to do easily some feat impossible to any other, and thus makes him necessary to society.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
Force is legitimate where gentleness avails not.
—Pierre Corneille (1606–84) French Poet, Dramatist
To be a king and wear a crown is more glorious to them that see it than it is pleasure to them that bear it.
—Queen Elizabeth I (1533–1603) British Monarch
It is within the power of every man to become great.
—Wallace Wattles (1860–1911) American New Thought Author
Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness concerning all acts of initiative and creation. There is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans; that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen events, meetings and material assistance which no one could have dreamed would have come their way. I have learned a deep respect for one of Goethe’s couplets: “Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now!”
—William Hutchinson Murray (1913–96) Scottish Mountaineer
Wisdom is the power to perceive the best ends to aim at and the best means for reaching those ends.
—Wallace Wattles (1860–1911) American New Thought Author
Take a risk a day—one small or bold stroke that will make you feel great once you’ve done it. Even if it doesn’t work out the way you wanted it to, at least you’ve tried. You didn’t sit back…powerless. Watch what starts to happen when you expand your comfort zone…with each risk you take, each time you move out of what feels comfortable, you become more powerful… As your power builds, so does your confidence, so that stretching your comfort zone becomes easier and easier, despite any fear you may experiencing. The magnitude of the risks you take also expands.
—Susan Jeffers (1938–2012) American Psychologist, Self-Help Author
Power is of two kinds. One is obtained by the fear of punishment and the other by acts of love. Power based on love is a thousand times more effective and permanent then the one derived from fear of punishment.
—Mohandas K. Gandhi (1869–1948) Indian Hindu Political leader
It is not possible to found a lasting power upon injustice, perjury, and treachery.
—Demosthenes (384–322 BCE) Greek Statesman, Orator
All I want is a warm bed and a kind word and unlimited power.
—Ashleigh Brilliant (b.1933) British Cartoonist, Author
The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any.
—Alice Walker (b.1944) American Novelist, Activist
Fools take to themselves the respect that is given to their office.
—Aesop (620–564 BCE) Greek Fabulist
We do not believe any group of men adequate enough or wise enough to operate without scrutiny or without criticism.
—J. Robert Oppenheimer (1904–67) American Nuclear Physicist
Never forget the three powerful resources you always have available to you: love, prayer, and forgiveness.
—H. Jackson Brown, Jr. (b.1940) American Self-Help Author
The only thing we all have in common is that we play tricks in order to force ourselves to abandon the quest. The counter-measure is to persist in spite of all the barriers and disappointments.
—Carlos Castaneda (1925–98) Peruvian-born American Anthropologist, Author
Where force is necessary, there it must be applied boldly, decisively and completely. But one must know the limitations of force; one must know when to blend force with a maneuver, a blow with an agreement.
—Leon Trotsky (1879–1940) Russian Marxist Revolutionary
Into the hands of every individual is given a marvelous power for good or evil-the silent, unconscious, unseen influence of his life. This is simply the constant radiation of what man really is, not what he pretends to be.
—William George Jordan (1864–1928) American Essayist, Editor
When you see yourself connected to something bigger than yourself, you no longer feel you must do it all alone. Your sense of power becomes highly magnified, and your fears are greatly diminished.
—Susan Jeffers (1938–2012) American Psychologist, Self-Help Author
Become aware of and recognize fully the fact that the Principle of Power within you is God Himself. You must consciously identify yourself with the Highest.
—Wallace Wattles (1860–1911) American New Thought Author
Man is born to seek power, yet his actual condition makes him a slave to the power of others.
—Hans Morgenthau (1904–80) German-American Political Scientist
Writing is another powerful way to sharpen the mental saw. Keeping a journal of our thoughts, experiences, insights, and learnings promotes mental clarity, exactness, and context.
—Stephen Covey (1932–2012) American Self-help Author