"The only power deserving the name is that of masses, and of governments while they make themselves the organ of the tendencies and instincts of masses."

Power

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Insight & Reflection

This reflection on power by John Stuart Mill resonates across generations. It highlights a fundamental truth about human nature: our continuous search for meaning in power is what ultimately defines our character and our path forward.

About John Stuart Mill

John Stuart Mill was an English philosopher, political economist, and politician. He was a paradigmatic philosopher of liberalism and has been described as "the most influential English-speaking philosopher of the nineteenth century" by the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. He conceived of liberty as justifying the freedom of the individual in opposition to unlimited state and social control, and formulated the Harm principle. He also advocated proportional representation, the emancipation of women, and the development of labour organisations and farm cooperatives, and has been classified as both a Classical Liberal and Social Liberal.

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Editorial Note: This quote is curated and fact-checked by the ShortQuote Editorial Team. Verified Literature Specialist.

More by John Stuart Mill

"Pleasure and freedom from pain, are the only things desirable as ends."

— John Stuart Mill
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"If all mankind minus one, were of one opinion, and only one person were of the contrary opinion, mankind would be no more justified in silencing that one person, than he, if he had the power, would be justified in silencing mankind."

— John Stuart Mill
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"The individual is not accountable to society for his actions in so far as these concern the interests of no person but himself."

— John Stuart Mill
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"Men do not desire merely to be rich , but to be richer than other men."

— John Stuart Mill
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More about Power

"We have a market-driven society so obsessed with buying and selling and obsessed with power and pleasure and property."

— Cornel West
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"If you want to control other people, first control yourself."

— Abu Bakr
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"No matter how old and glorious the models, sad indeed is the woman who sees fashion as a means of self-expression rather than an agent of social control."

— Julie Burchill
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"Instead of being critical of people in authority over you and envious of their position, be happy you're not responsible for everything they have to do. Instead of piling on complaints, thank them for what they do. Overwhelm them with encouragement and appreciation!"

— Joyce Meyer
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