corrupt

absolute power corrupts absolutely

proverb One who holds unchecked power or authority is likely to become corrupt or abuse one's position. This phrase is usually attributed to 19th-century historian Lord Acton. He really started abusing the authority of his office when he was promoted to CEO. Absolute power corrupts absolutely. A: "I never should have appointed Brian head of the committee." B: "You need to call him in for a meeting before he thinks that he can do whatever he wants. Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely." Their king isn't the first to take his power too far, and he won't be the last—absolute power corrupts absolutely.

See also: absolute, absolutely, corrupt, power

evil communications corrupt good manners

proverb Exposure to that which is evil harms one's morality or integrity. The phrase comes from the Bible. A: "Jimmy's such a good kid, but his new friends seem like troublemakers. B: "I'm concerned too. I know how evil communications corrupt good manners." I know somebody's putting these awful ideas into my sweet daughter's head. Evil communications corrupt good manners, after all. Evil communications corrupt good manners—even in people who think they have a strong moral compass.

See also: corrupt, evil, good, manner

power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely

The more powerful one is, the more unscrupulous one becomes. A: "I never should have appointed him head of the committee." B: "You need to call him in for a meeting before he thinks that he can do whatever he wants. Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely."

See also: absolute, absolutely, and, corrupt, power

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

Absolute power corrupts absolutely.

Prov. One who has total authority is very likely to abuse his position. (This phrase was used by the British historian Lord Acton: "Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.") We thought that Johnson would be a responsible mayor, but within a year of taking office, he was as bad as all the rest. Absolute power corrupts absolutely.

See also: absolute, absolutely, corrupt, power

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.