Rome, 14 April (LaPresse) – “Eight or nine years ago, in this very hall, a student asked me how one resists the temptations of power, I replied that power can indeed be intoxicating and cause one to lose one’s balance, but there are two antidotes: one is institutional – the balance of powers, the distribution of functions amongst the various constitutional bodies – and the second is personal, individual conscience, and a keen sense of self-irony is invaluable.” So said the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, whilst meeting a delegation of journalism students at the Quirinale. ‘If the so-called powerful of the earth were to make use of it, even in small doses, the world would benefit and they would avoid difficulties and causes for embarrassment.’
Mattarella: ‘Power can be intoxicating; I advise those in power to be self-deprecating to avoid embarrassment’
Rome, 14 April (LaPresse) – “Eight or nine years ago, in this very hall, a student asked me how one resists the temptations of power, I replied that power can indeed be intoxicating and cause one to lose one’s balance, but there are two antidotes: one is institutional – the balance of powers, the distribution of functions amongst the various constitutional bodies – and the second is personal, individual conscience, and a keen sense of self-irony is invaluable.” So said the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, whilst meeting a delegation of journalism students at the Quirinale. ‘If the so-called powerful of the earth were to make use of it, even in small doses, the world would benefit and they would avoid difficulties and causes for embarrassment.’
