Quote by Wole Soyinka: “Power is a thing that corrupts not only the man, but his humanity.”

This statement warns that unchecked power doesn't just make a person bad; it fundamentally degrades their very essence and moral compass. It suggests that authority can strip individuals of their empathy and ethical grounding, leading to a profound loss of what it means to be human and just.

From 'The Man Died: Prison Notes,' this observation stems from Soyinka's direct experience with the Nigerian government's abuses of power during the Civil War. His time in solitary confinement offered a stark view of how absolute power can dehumanize both those who wield it and those who suffer under it.

Nigerian playwright, poet, and novelist who became the first African writer to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature, awarded in 1986. His plays, including Death and the King's Horseman and A Dance of the Forests, blend Yoruba mythology with political critique. He was imprisoned by the Nigerian government during the Biafran war.