Analysis
The essay *Freedom from Fear* discusses how fear can corrupt both those who hold power and those who are subjected to it, but the specific sentence quoted is not present verbatim. Multiple excerpts show similar concepts expressed in different phrasing, indicating the statement is a paraphrase rather than a direct quote. Therefore, attributing the exact wording to the essay is inaccurate.
Background
Aung San Suu Kyi wrote *Freedom from Fear* while under house arrest, emphasizing the role of fear in political oppression. The essay has been widely quoted, and many secondary sources summarize its themes, sometimes rephrasing her ideas. Misquotations can arise when paraphrased ideas are presented as exact citations.
Verdict summary
The passage paraphrases Aung San Suu Kyi’s ideas, but the exact wording is not found in the 1990 essay *Freedom from Fear*.