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fandom_grammarToday’s Say What? discusses a couple of sayings that, at the root, are all about power and control—wanting it, having it and using it. Our friends from The Avengers will help us take a look at better to reign in Hell than serve in Heaven and power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely.
Better to reign in Hell than serve in Heaven
No, we’re not talking about the various songs with this title (there’s one by Cradle of Filth, for example), or about a movie. This famous quote comes to us right from Lucifer in Milton’s Paradise Lost. In the Christian mythos, before Earth was created, there was a war in Heaven, in which Lucifer rebelled against God. He and the army of his followers were all banished from Heaven as punishment and they all fell to Hell. In the first section of Paradise Lost, Lucifer gives a speech to his followers, telling them they are now free of Heaven’s yoke, of which this is a part:
Hell is, of course, a pretty awful place. But even though they’re in Hell, Lucifer tells them, they are now in control of their own fates, not subject to whatever God ordains. They can choose what they do next … and just having that choice means they’ve got power.
If your characters believe themselves wronged or are outcasts or even using the end to justify the means, this is a sentiment they might believe in.
Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely
This quotation is attributed to historian John Emerich Edward Dalberg Acton, Baron Acton, who wrote in a letter to Bishop Creighton:
However, the meaning behind the sentiment has been around for longer than the short century the date on that letter implies. In 1770, William Pitt the Elder said something quite similar: “Unlimited power is apt to corrupt the minds of those who possess it.” Going back even further in time, we come to the emperors of Rome. Even though they probably aren’t the first examples, they are still some of the best, as nearly every one of them had himself declared a god.
Someone in a position of power is likely to abuse that power … and it becomes easier to abuse that power the more often it’s used. Sometimes even someone with the best of intentions can be swayed by the power they are able to wield, and may end up misusing it to further their own ends.
This phrase is likely to be used by a character who views themselves as one of the oppressed … or who fears the power another might have.
There are sayings that address wanting power and control or having the desire to use them—for good or ill—all throughout history. Unless your character is a supervillian, hopefully he or she won’t be egotistical enough to ignore them … because, as is commonly said, those who don’t know history are doomed to repeat it.
Sources:
Paradise Lost at Wikipedia
A Classic a Day
Phrases.org
Answers.com here and here
Free Dictionary
Better to reign in Hell than serve in Heaven
No, we’re not talking about the various songs with this title (there’s one by Cradle of Filth, for example), or about a movie. This famous quote comes to us right from Lucifer in Milton’s Paradise Lost. In the Christian mythos, before Earth was created, there was a war in Heaven, in which Lucifer rebelled against God. He and the army of his followers were all banished from Heaven as punishment and they all fell to Hell. In the first section of Paradise Lost, Lucifer gives a speech to his followers, telling them they are now free of Heaven’s yoke, of which this is a part:
… Here at least
We shall be free; the Almighty hath not built
Here for his envy, will not drive us hence;
Here we may reign secure, and in my choice
to reign is worth ambition though in Hell:
Better to reign in Hell, than serve in Heaven. (lines 258 – 263)
Hell is, of course, a pretty awful place. But even though they’re in Hell, Lucifer tells them, they are now in control of their own fates, not subject to whatever God ordains. They can choose what they do next … and just having that choice means they’ve got power.
If your characters believe themselves wronged or are outcasts or even using the end to justify the means, this is a sentiment they might believe in.
“Why here?” Clint demanded. “Why is it that Loki just has to set himself up here on Earth? Isn’t Asgard just a better place all around?”
“But he can’t be king there,” Tony replied, looking up from playing with his phone. “In Asgard, he’s a criminal, and even if he weren’t, his dad’s still king, and even if he wasn’t, it’d be Thor. Here’s where he’s got a shot.” He shrugged. “Better to reign in Hell, than serve in Heaven, and all.”
Natasha gave him an approving look. “That was very deep, Stark.”
Tony gave her his most devastating pout. “Hey, I’ve got depth!”
Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely
This quotation is attributed to historian John Emerich Edward Dalberg Acton, Baron Acton, who wrote in a letter to Bishop Creighton:
Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men. (1887)
However, the meaning behind the sentiment has been around for longer than the short century the date on that letter implies. In 1770, William Pitt the Elder said something quite similar: “Unlimited power is apt to corrupt the minds of those who possess it.” Going back even further in time, we come to the emperors of Rome. Even though they probably aren’t the first examples, they are still some of the best, as nearly every one of them had himself declared a god.
Someone in a position of power is likely to abuse that power … and it becomes easier to abuse that power the more often it’s used. Sometimes even someone with the best of intentions can be swayed by the power they are able to wield, and may end up misusing it to further their own ends.
This phrase is likely to be used by a character who views themselves as one of the oppressed … or who fears the power another might have.
“You won the battle,” the reporter said, raising her microphone. “But was winning worth all the destruction?”
Before anyone else could react, Clint shoved his chair back. “It would have been Hell on Earth,” he retorted, voice gravelly but intent. “Loki wasn’t going to be some … benevolent overlord! He wanted power …”
Steve put a hand on Clint’s arm. “Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely,” he told the reporter quietly. “Maybe you’ve heard that one before.”
There are sayings that address wanting power and control or having the desire to use them—for good or ill—all throughout history. Unless your character is a supervillian, hopefully he or she won’t be egotistical enough to ignore them … because, as is commonly said, those who don’t know history are doomed to repeat it.
Sources:
Paradise Lost at Wikipedia
A Classic a Day
Phrases.org
Answers.com here and here
Free Dictionary
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