To assume all the powers is not good for anybody. Power corrupts

Hearken, O children of reflection, to the solemn admonition of Rafael Correa, who beheld the perils of unbridled authority. He declared that to assume all the powers is perilous for all, for power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. In these words lies an eternal truth: the human spirit, when untempered by restraint, justice, or accountability, succumbs to hubris, and even the noblest intentions may give rise to tyranny. Here is a teaching for the ages: authority, like fire, can illuminate or consume, depending upon the wisdom of its steward.

The origin of this reflection stems from Correa’s experience as a leader and observer of governance in the modern world. Witnessing both the concentration of political power and the consequences of unchecked ambition, he discerned that experiments in absolute control often end in suffering, division, or moral decay. His words echo across time, reminding all who govern that responsibility and balance are inseparable from the wielding of authority.

The meaning of this aphorism is profound: no single mortal should claim dominion over all aspects of governance, for the temptation of absolute authority erodes virtue and justice. History demonstrates that concentrated power distorts judgment, blinds the mind, and inflames desire. Even leaders with vision and good intent may falter when accountability is absent, for human nature is vulnerable to excess, and corruption is the natural consequence of unchecked dominion.

History provides stark testimony to this warning. Recall the reign of Louis XIV of France, whose absolute monarchy, though magnificent in splendor, strained the kingdom’s resources and sowed seeds of unrest that would later erupt into revolution. Similarly, in the twentieth century, dictatorships across continents proved that when power is absolute, corruption and oppression become inevitable, leaving societies fractured and scarred. Correa’s words remind us that such experiments in concentrated authority rarely end well.

Yet this teaching is not solely a caution; it is a guide to righteous governance. The wise understand that shared power, checks and balances, and accountability safeguard virtue and protect the governed. Authority is most noble when it is exercised with humility, moderation, and awareness of the limits of the human heart. To resist the allure of absolute power is to honor justice, preserve society, and ensure that leadership serves rather than enslaves.

O generations yet to come, take heed of Correa’s counsel: power, unrestrained, is a peril to all. Let those who lead recognize the danger of absolute dominion, temper their ambition with wisdom, and design systems that prevent corruption. For only through balance, vigilance, and humility can authority fulfill its sacred purpose, and only thus may the experiments of governance find a just and enduring conclusion.