Other related topics at:
Authority/Government/State
96. Abuse of Power; Government
"I would not give half a guinea to live
under one form of
Government rather than another. It is of no moment to the
happiness of an individual. Sir, the danger of the abuse of
power is nothing to a private man."
Boswell: Life
Link
389. Abuse of Power; Wit
"To proportion the eagerness of contest to its importance seems
too hard a task for human wisdom. The pride of wit has kept ages
busy in the discussion of useless questions, and the pride of
power has destroyed armies, to gain or to keep unprofitable
possessions."
Johnson: Thoughts on the Late
Transactions Respecting Falkland's Islands
Link
395. Abuse of Power; Negotiation
"To push advantages too far is neither generous nor just."
Johnson: Thoughts on the Late
Transactions Respecting Falkland's Islands
Link
435. Abuse of Power; Authority;
Government
"...No form of government has yet been discovered by which
cruelty can be wholly prevented. Subordination supposes power on
the one part, and subjection on the other, and if power be in the
hands of men, it will sometimes be abused. The vigilance of the
supreme magistrate may do much, but much will still remain
undone. He can never know all the crimes that are committed, and
can seldom punish all that he knows."
Johnson: Rasselas [Imlac]
Note: If you haven't read it yet, please read this note of caution regarding quotes from
Rasselas.
Link
1,355. Abuse of Power; Seduction
"I know not why it should afford subject of exultation, to
overpower on any terms the resolution, or surprise the caution of
a girl; but of all the boasters that deck themselves in the
spoils of innocence and beauty, they surely have the least
pretensions to triumph, who submit to owe their success to some
casual influence. They neither employ the graces of fancy nor
the force of understanding in their attempts; they cannot please
their vanity with the art of their approaches, the delicacy of
their adulations, the elegance of their address, or the efficacy
of their eloquence; nor applaud themselves as possessed of any
qualities by which affection is attracted. They surmount no
obstacles, they defeat no rivals, but attack only those who
cannot resist, and are often content to possess the body, without
any solicitude to gain the heart."
Johnson: Rambler #170 (November 2, 1751); from "Misella,"
a fictional correspondent.
Link
1,674. Abuse of Power
"Empires are broken down when the profits of administration are
so great, that ambition is satisfied with obtaining them, and
he that aspires to greatness needs do nothing more than talk
himself into importance. He has then all the power which danger
and conquest used formerly to give; he can raise a family,
and reward his followers."
Johnson: Letter to John Taylor, (January 24, 1784)
Link
1,708. Abuse of Power; Ireland
To an Irishman, on Ireland's political state: "Do not make a
union with us, Sir. We should unite with you, only to rob you. We
should have robbed the Scotch, if they had had any thing of which
we could have robbed them."
Boswell: Life of Johnson
Link
