But constant experience shows us that every man invested with

The soft murmur of conversation filled the air, blending with the faint clink of coffee cups and the rhythmic tapping of raindrops against the window. Jack sat back in his chair, his fingers idly tracing the edge of his cup, his thoughts clearly elsewhere. Jeeny, across from him, was absorbed in her own thoughts, the quiet reflection in her eyes mirroring the stillness of the world outside.

Host: After a moment of silence, Jeeny broke the quiet, her voice gentle yet carrying the weight of something deeper.

Jeeny: “I read something today that made me think of you. Montesquieu once said, ‘But constant experience shows us that every man invested with power is apt to abuse it, and to carry his authority as far as it will go.’ What do you think? Do you believe power always corrupts?”

Jack: His fingers paused on the edge of his cup, and he leaned forward slightly, his expression pensive. “It’s hard to argue with that, isn’t it? Power changes people. It’s like it’s built into the structure of it—once you have control, once you start to get a taste of that authority, it becomes easy to push it further, to take it as far as you can. But maybe that’s just the way the world works. It’s a constant struggle for control.”

Jeeny: Her eyes softened, and she leaned in a little, her voice steady. “I see what you mean, but maybe it’s not the power itself that’s the problem, but how we choose to wield it. Power doesn’t automatically corrupt. It’s how we handle it, the choices we make when we have that kind of influence over others. It’s about whether we see it as a responsibility or an opportunity for personal gain.”

Host: The light from the windows had dimmed slightly, the rain now a gentle hum outside, but their conversation had grown deeper. Jack’s fingers were still on his cup, but his posture had softened, as if considering her perspective more closely.

Jack: “You’re right, of course. It’s not just about power—it’s about the person wielding it. But the thing is, power is so tempting, and temptation leads to overreach. Even the best of us can be seduced by it. It’s hard to know when to stop once you’ve started to pull at those strings of control.”

Jeeny: “And that’s the challenge, isn’t it? Knowing when to step back. The temptation is real, but it’s about self-awareness and holding onto the values that keep us grounded. Power, when used wisely, can be a force for good—it can change things, improve lives. But when abused, it harms, divides, and corrupts. The real test is whether we use our authority to serve others or to serve ourselves.”

Host: The moment between them seemed to linger, as if they were both absorbing the weight of what they had just discussed. The quiet of the café grew more pronounced, the world outside almost completely faded by the warmth inside. Jack’s gaze softened, his fingers now resting still on his cup, as though he had reached some quiet understanding.

Jack: “I guess it comes down to accountability, doesn’t it? When we hold power, we have to hold ourselves accountable for how we use it. It’s easy to let it slip, to let it take over. But if we’re conscious of its effects, we can start to make better choices, use it for the right reasons.”

Jeeny: Her smile was small, but filled with something like reassurance. “Exactly. Accountability is the key. It’s not about whether we can hold power—it’s about whether we can control ourselves while we have it, and whether we use it for the good of everyone, not just for our own benefit.”

Host: The conversation had settled into a shared understanding between them. The rain outside had quieted, leaving only the soft hum of the café, but the weight of Montesquieu’s words still hung in the air: power, though an inescapable part of human nature, requires constant self-reflection, and the responsibility to wield it with integrity. Jack and Jeeny sat in the quiet acknowledgment that the true test of leadership isn’t the power itself—but what we choose to do with it.