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"All governments suffer a recurring problem: Power attracts pathological personalities. It is not...

By Saganism

Posted February 6, 2026

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"All governments suffer a recurring problem: Power attracts pathological personalities. It is not...

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About the Creator

Saganism is a Twitter account dedicated to sharing insightful quotes from Carl Sagan and other thinkers on science, philosophy, and society, blending intellectual depth with inspirational messaging. Their style is concise, quote-focused, and visually appealing, often pairing text with thematic imagery to engage a broad audience. Credibility stems from accurate attribution to renowned authors like Frank Herbert, fostering trust among followers interested in wisdom and critical thinking.

What's This About?

This content features a quote from Frank Herbert's 'Chapterhouse: Dune,' stating that power attracts pathological personalities rather than corrupting them outright, challenging Lord Acton's famous dictum that 'power corrupts.'[1][2] It explores key themes of political philosophy, human nature, and governance, suggesting power acts as a magnet for the corruptible who thrive on violence and control.[3] The quote originates from the Missionaria Protectiva section in the novel, part of Herbert's expansive Dune saga examining ecology, religion, and authoritarianism.[2][4]

🔥Why It's Trending

The post is trending amid 2026 global political tensions, including elections and leadership scandals that echo the quote's critique of power's allure to flawed individuals. Its timeless relevance amplifies shares during discourse on corruption in governments worldwide. The Dune franchise's ongoing popularity, boosted by recent adaptations, draws sci-fi fans to this philosophical gem.[1][3]

💡Fun Facts

1The full quote extends: 'Such people have a tendency to become drunk on violence, a condition to which they are quickly addicted,' adding a stark warning on power's addictive nature.[2]
2It flips Lord Acton's 1887 line 'power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely,' arguing attraction precedes corruption.[1]
3Friedrich Hayek echoed this in 'The Road to Serfdom,' noting centralized power elevates the unscrupulous.[1][3]
4Frank Herbert, a Dune author, drew from real politics; the series has sold over 20 million copies worldwide.[4]
5A variant quote by Herbert reads: 'Absolute power does not corrupt absolutely, absolute power attracts the corruptible.'[5][6]

📚Read More

thedailyeconomy.org

Frank Herbert’s Amazing ‘Dune’ Quote: ‘All Governments Suffer a Recurring Problem’ | The Daily Economy

Lord Acton believed power corrupts, but Frank Hebert drew a corollary lesson from his knowledge of history.

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Econlib

Power Corrupts AND Attracts the Corruptible - Econlib

I’m traveling this morning from Pennsylvania to Newark Airport to Toronto and so I’ll be brief. A friend on Facebook recently cited this quote from Frank Herbert. I had not heard it before: All governments suffer a recurring problem: Power attracts pathological personalities. It is not that power corrupts but that it is magnetic to […]

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goodreads.com

A quote from Chapterhouse

All governments suffer a recurring problem: Power attracts pathological personalities. It is not that power corrupts but that it is magnetic to the corru...

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quotationspage.com

https://www.quotationspage.com/quote/30455.html

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azquotes.com

https://www.azquotes.com/author/6592-Frank_Herbert/tag/power

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