Vol. 06 · Misquoted ·Book ·14 of 348
"Absolute power corrupts absolutely."
They never said that.
What people say
"Absolute power corrupts absolutely."
What was actually said
"Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely." Lord Acton — Lord Acton — letter to Mandell Creighton, 1887
Why it stuck
"Tends to" is hedged; absolute power is the only case Acton calls certain. Quoting just the second half removes the gradient Acton carefully built.
Know another line by heart?
Play the duel and see how many you can spot. Or browse the whole shelf.