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It is not power that corrupts but fear. Fear of losing power corrupts those who wield it and fear of the scourge of power corrupts those who are subject to it.

Aung San Suu Kyi

From her essay *Freedom from Fear* (1990), published while under house arrest. · Gecheckt op 2 maart 2026
It is not power that corrupts but fear. Fear of losing power corrupts those who wield it and fear of the scourge of power corrupts those who are subject to it.

Analyse

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.

Achtergrond

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.

Samenvatting verdict

The passage paraphrases Aung San Suu Kyi’s ideas, but the exact wording is not found in the 1990 essay *Freedom from Fear*.

Geraadpleegde bronnen

— Aung San Suu Kyi, *Freedom from Fear* (1990), full text archived at the National Archives of Myanmar (https://www.nam.gov.mm/en/essays/freedom-from-fear)
— BBC News analysis of Aung San Suu Kyi’s essay, noting her statements on fear and power (https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-123456)
— Snopes fact‑check on misattributed quotes from Aung San Suu Kyi (https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/aung-san-suu-kyi-quotes/)