The purpose of getting power is to be able to give it away.

The great reformer Aneurin Bevan, founder of Britain’s National Health Service, once proclaimed: “The purpose of getting power is to be able to give it away.” These words shine like a torch amidst the darkness of greed and tyranny. To many, power is seen as a treasure to hoard, a throne to cling to. But Bevan’s vision is different: true leadership is not about domination, but about empowerment—lifting others so that they, too, may rise and act freely.

To give power away is to plant seeds of freedom and justice. A ruler who hoards authority traps his people in dependency, but one who shares it builds a strong, self-reliant nation. This act requires great humility, for it means preparing others to govern, to decide, and to shape their own futures. In this, Bevan echoes the wisdom of ancient philosophers who taught that a leader’s highest duty is to create more leaders, not followers.

History gives us a powerful example in George Washington, who, after leading the American colonies to victory, refused to become a king. Twice he relinquished command—first when he resigned his military role, and later when he stepped down after two terms as president. By giving away power, Washington set a precedent that safeguarded the young republic. His restraint ensured that freedom endured beyond his lifetime, proving that the greatest leaders are those who know when to let go.

By contrast, the world has seen many rulers destroyed by their inability to share authority. Napoleon Bonaparte, though a brilliant strategist, clung fiercely to power. His unwillingness to distribute it ultimately led to rebellion, war, and exile. His fate is a stark reminder of Bevan’s truth: when power is treated as a possession, it consumes both the ruler and the realm.

Let this teaching be passed to future generations: seek power not for its own sake, but as a sacred trust. Use it to build systems, nurture talents, and strengthen communities, until the need for your own control fades. For as Bevan teaches, the true measure of a leader is not how tightly they hold power, but how freely they return it to the hands of the people. In this selfless act, power transforms into legacy, and leadership becomes eternal.