absolute power corrupts absolutely

used to imply that the more power a person has, the more likely they are to abuse that power and act in their own self-interest, rather than in the interest of others

The proverb "absolute power corrupts absolutely" is attributed to the British historian and politician Lord Acton, who first used it in a letter to Bishop Mandell Creighton in 1887. It suggests that unchecked authority can harm moral values and lead individuals to prioritize their own desires over the well-being of others. The proverb serves as a cautionary reminder of the dangers of concentrated power and the need for checks and balances in systems of governance.