Force is as pitiless to the man who possesses it, or thinks he does, as it is to its victims; the second it crushes, the first it intoxicates. The truth is, nobody really possesses it.

Summary

This quote highlights the destructive nature of power, asserting that it is equally merciless to both those who possess power and those who are subjected to it. It states that power has a corrupting effect - it intoxicates those who have it, giving them a false sense of control and superiority. However, the quote also suggests that nobody truly possesses power, implying that it is elusive and transient, ultimately leading to its own downfall. In essence, the quote discourages the pursuit or illusion of power as it brings suffering to both the wielder and the subjugated.

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