The problem of power is how to achieve its responsible use rather than its irresponsible and indulgent use—of how to get men of power to live for the public rather than off the public.

About Robert F. Kennedy

Robert Francis Kennedy (November 20, 1925 – June 6, 1968), also known by his initials RFK, was an American politician and lawyer. A member of the Democratic Party, Kennedy served as the 64th United States attorney general from 1961 to 1964, and as a U.S. senator from New York from...

More quotations from Robert F. Kennedy

Progress is a nice word. But change is its motivator and change has its enemies.

—Robert F. Kennedy

change

Few will have the greatness to bend history itself; but each of us can work to change a small portion of events, and in the total of all those acts will be written the history of this generation.

—Robert F. Kennedy

change

Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope… and, crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring, those ripples build a current that can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.

—Robert F. Kennedy

One-fifth of the people are against everything all the time.

—Robert F. Kennedy

politics opposition

More quotations tagged with “power”

Power never takes a back step—only in the face of more power.

—Malcolm X

power

The highest proof of virtue is to possess boundless power without abusing it.

—Lord Macaulay

power

If power was an illusion, wasn't weakness necessarily one also?

—Lois McMaster Bujold

power

The secret of all power is—save your force. If you want high pressure you must choke off waste.

—Joseph Farrell

power

One person with a belief is equal to a force of 99 who have only interests.

—John Stuart Mill

power

History

11 Jul 2015 Added
26 Oct 2026 Wording changed

Previous wording

The problem of power is how to achieve its responsible use rather than its irresponsible and indulgent use - of how to get men of power to live for the public rather than off the public.