Get Started
Home Authors Tags

"权力只会面对更强大的权力时才会退让。"

Malcolm X
Malcolm X Civil Rights Activist
Translations
🇺🇸 English 🇨🇳 中文 🇪🇸 Español 🇪🇬 العربية 🇫🇷 Français 🇮🇷 فارسی 🇯🇵 日本語
Quote meaning
Power doesn't relinquish its position easily. It only gives way when it encounters an even greater force. This idea can be quite eye-opening when you really break it down.

Historically, this concept is evident throughout countless examples of conflicts and revolutions. Think about the Civil Rights Movement. When the leaders of the movement, like Martin Luther King Jr., and thousands of brave individuals stood against the oppressive force of institutional racism, they didn't achieve progress by asking nicely. They had to exert a powerful, collective force—through protests, boycotts, and legal challenges—to make the system yield. Their power came from unity, determination, and moral authority.

Let's look at a real-life example that brings this idea into a practical setting. Imagine a workplace scenario where an employee is being treated unfairly by a manager. The manager holds power and doesn't see a reason to change their ways because they feel secure in their position. The employee, if acting alone and without leverage, might find it incredibly challenging to change the situation. However, if that employee gathers the support of colleagues, documents the mistreatment, and brings the issue to higher management or a relevant regulatory body, they amass a kind of power that the manager can’t easily ignore. The collective force of these actions creates a situation where the manager has to step back. It's not just one person's word—it's a united front, and that's formidable.

So, how can you apply this wisdom in your life? First, recognize when you're facing a power imbalance. Don't shy away from acknowledging it. Then, think about how you can build your own power. This could be through gathering allies, seeking knowledge and resources, or even leveraging legal or structural systems that support fairness and justice. You don't necessarily need to confront power with aggression; sometimes, it's more about being strategic and persistent.

To bring this closer to home, let’s imagine a neighborhood issue. Suppose a local company is polluting a nearby river. Individual complaints might be ignored. But, if the community comes together—organizing meetings, gathering evidence, and contacting media and environmental agencies—the company faces a force it can't easily dismiss. The combined power of informed, organized citizens can compel action and accountability. It’s the same principle at work: power only steps back in the face of greater power.

In a nutshell, this concept speaks to the importance of recognizing and harnessing your own power, especially in the face of unfairness or oppression. Whether it's a personal struggle or a larger societal issue, remember that you’re not powerless. With strategy, support, and determination, you can create the kind of force that even the most entrenched power structures have to reckon with. So next time you face a daunting power imbalance, think about how you can build your own strength—individually and collectively—to ensure that power doesn’t keep its foot on your neck.
Related tags
Authority Control Cowardice Dominance Force Hierarchy Influence Leadership Power Strength
MORE QUOTES BY Malcolm X
FEATURED QUOTES
Surprise me with another quote
Instagram Icon Facebook Icon X Icon Threads Icon