The phrase “Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely” is a timeless warning. We’ve seen it play out in history—leaders who start with good intentions fall prey to greed, tyranny, or delusion. From emperors to politicians, corporations to cult leaders, the temptation to dominate and control often leads to moral decay. But why does power corrupt? And is there a form of power that remains untouched by corruption?
The Corrupting Nature of Power
Power gives people the ability to shape reality according to their will. For the unprepared, this can breed arrogance, detachment, and an insatiable hunger for more. When power is unchecked, it warps perception—turning once-righteous individuals into tyrants. The more control one has, the more they begin to see themselves as above others, even above morality itself.
At its core, corruption stems from attachment—clinging to status, wealth, and influence. The fear of losing power leads to deception, manipulation, and oppression. Human power, rooted in ego, is fragile. It needs validation, it demands loyalty, and it fears opposition. This is why absolute power not only corrupts—it isolates.
The Incorruptible Nature of Divine Power
Unlike human power, divine power does not seek to control, oppress, or dominate. It does not operate through fear or coercion. Divine power is the force that upholds the universe—truth, love, wisdom, and creation itself. It does not waver because it is not dependent on external validation or material gain.
True divine power exists beyond ego. It flows through those who surrender to something greater than themselves. The mystic, the artist, the enlightened teacher—those who access divine power do not hoard it. They channel it. They use it to uplift, to create, and to expand consciousness.
Corruption happens when power is possessed, when it becomes an extension of personal will rather than a force of divine alignment. That is why kings fall, empires collapse, and leaders lose their way. But divine power remains untouchable because it is not “owned”—it simply is.
Embracing Incorruptible Power
To access power without corruption, one must let go of the need to control. This requires discipline, self-awareness, and devotion to truth. It means valuing wisdom over influence, service over dominance, and creation over destruction.
If power corrupts, then the solution is not rejection but transcendence. Power is only dangerous when it serves the self. But when it serves the divine, it becomes a source of healing, transformation, and boundless creation.
Human power fades. Divine power endures. The choice is ours.
The Daily Pegasus 