Power Corrupts

King James, possibly the most powerful man in the world in the time he lived. He was ruler of one of the most powerful nations. Being crowned king of England, James gained a new sense of self confidence in him. This is a good quality in leaders, to be sure of themselves and confident on their political positions. But this self confidence can so easily turn into arrogance which is never a good thing in any case. Abraham Lincoln said, “Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power.” This means that a man can live through any catastrophe and “suck it up”, but if you give a man power or money it will show his true colors. A humble person might not even accept the power or they might give it away to those who really need it. A greedy person will keep the money for him/herself and through that become arrogant and self centered, thinking themselves above the law and everyone else. He does not display much arrogance but in some cases he sets the laws aside. “What can have possessed James? Perhaps he was rattled by the presence of a thief in the midst of all this springtime hope and optimism? Maybe he assumed the English king, so much more powerful the Scottish, could from time to time behave with autocratic authority?”(p.14) In this case he might have been confused but it is an example of what he was capable of. I do not believe this was an act of superiority or arrogance, but a misunderstanding. This would be a huge problem if it were an act of this superiority, especially when found in a leader such as King James. With the amount of power and influence he has over the world he could either send it into chaos or bring it back to order. King James, at least so far in the reading, has not caused the world any pain. He gave to the poor and brought some prosperity to the world, but the longer you remain in that power the easier it is to be corrupted. It would be very difficult to escape from that temptation of power if you in his situation. He has many influences that can either send him to one side or the other. His wife and children, his advisors, his friends and allies, all could influence him to do things to of for the people that he might or might not have wanted from a king were he in their position.