The greater the power, more dangerous the abuse.
Edmund Burke, in a speech in the House of Commons (7 Feb. 1771)
In the human context power often refers to one’s capacity to attack influence, or control another person, people, or nation.
This is equally valid in the political context. That is why in civilized nations no individual or group is allowed to have enormous power for a very long time.
In the global context, however, power generally refers to the capacity of nations to defend themselves or attack other nations.
Power can be used and abused. Burk’s reference here is to the abuse of power.
It may be said with equal validity that the greater the power, the more effective its positive applications can be.
Spurts of Thought 