It is said that power corrupts, but actually it's more true that

“It is said that power corrupts, but actually it's more true that power attracts the corruptible. The sane are usually attracted by other things than power.” These words from David Brin unveil a profound truth that resonates through the corridors of history: power does not, in itself, corrupt the soul, but instead, it draws to it those whose hearts are already bent toward greed, ambition, and self-interest. The wise, the sane, and the humble, are rarely captivated by the allure of power, for they seek fulfillment in higher things — love, wisdom, virtue, and peace. The corruptible are the ones who are most drawn to the glittering promise of control and domination.

In the ancient world, the great philosophers warned of the dangers of power. Plato, in his Republic, spoke of the philosopher-king, a ruler who would only seek power because of his deep understanding of truth and justice. He believed that only the sane could wield power responsibly, and that those who sought it for its own sake were often driven by motives that led to tyranny. For when power is sought for personal gain, it becomes a corrupting force — one that leads to the downfall of the individual and the state alike.

Consider the rise of the Roman Emperor Julius Caesar, a man of extraordinary power, whose ambition led him to cross the Rubicon and march on Rome. He did not seek power for the sake of justice or wisdom, but to fulfill his own ambitions. His rise to dominance was not merely a result of his strength, but of the corruptible nature of those around him, drawn to his vision of control and authority. In the end, his quest for power led to his assassination, showing that those who are most attracted to power are often those least equipped to wield it.

In contrast, we have the example of Socrates, who cared not for power, but for the search for truth. He did not seek the approval of the powerful nor did he seek to amass followers. Instead, he was devoted to the pursuit of wisdom and understanding, often challenging the established power structures of his time. His focus was on the inner life, the cultivation of virtue, and the improvement of the soul, not on the fleeting allure of power. His example shows us that the sane are attracted to higher pursuits, and it is only those who seek control over others who are drawn to the world of power.

This principle holds true in the story of the philosopher-king in ancient India, Ashoka the Great. After a brutal war of conquest, Ashoka had a profound transformation, abandoning his pursuit of power for the sake of conquest and turning instead toward peace and compassion. His story stands as a testament to the fact that true power is not in dominion over others, but in the wisdom to seek harmony and justice. Ashoka’s shift in focus away from power towards personal transformation illustrates that those who are truly sane will seek higher paths, not the trappings of power.

Thus, let us remember Brin’s words and reflect upon the nature of power. It is not the power itself that corrupts, but the soul that is already inclined toward corruption. True greatness is not found in the quest for dominance but in the pursuit of wisdom, justice, and love. Let us, like the ancients, seek a higher calling — one that transcends the temptations of power and leads us toward a life of virtue and service.