Does Restraint in Use of Power Impress People?

“Of all the manifestations* of power, restraint in the use of that power impresses people most.”

*manifestations: apparent signs or indicators

Explain what you think this quotation means and discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with it. Develop your position with reasons and/or specific examples drawn from history, current events, or your own experience, observations, or reading.

I feel that restraint in the use of power indeed impresses people. Such a restraint may not lead to any true benefit. It may even lead to serious losses and utter self-destruction. However it will generally impress people.

Restraint in use of power means being magnanimous, fair and tolerant. It signifies a strong belief in human values, compassion, wisdom, a good sense of humor and immense self-confidence. It is not reacting to random provocations and the ability to choose one's battles and enemies. When somebody shows such a restraint, people associate heroic knight-like qualities with the person. What follows is that such an entity is put on pedestal as the epitome of all that is good about the human kind.

However the wise and politically correct thing would be to completely annihilate the enemy at hand. Wise men have advised to never under-estimate an enemy or a disease. Those who do that, do at their own peril. Whole Europe practiced restraint against Hitler and that ultimately led to the disastrous second world war. One cannot preach to be practicing restraint from the apparent position of weakness while pretending to be strong and taking a moral high ground. It may work if your enemy is principled but will fall flat on the face if he is not. Mahatama Gandhi's restraint worked with the gentlemanly British but would it work with Hitler or Stalin? Not a chance in hell! Would it be impressive? Definitely. Would it work for sure? Most probably not. At best there can be restraint on the decision to use power or not. Once it is decided that use of power is inevitable, there is no room for restraint. You can pretend restraint strategically to give some apparent room to the enemy in order to relax and misguide him but that is as far as it goes.

Restraint in use of power can often be mistaken for cowardice and/or indecision. In this case it may get you sympathy but definitely will not impress anyone. One has to convey in no less uncertain words (and actions) that one is practicing restraint but one is not practicing abstinence and is sufficiently powerful. It has to be understood that being humble, not bragging, using controlled aggression and strategizing are different from restraint which is simple and foolhardy inaction in spirit of heroism by an essentially good human being. Being a practical realist I definitely do not believe in using the principle of restraint in my own life as it is a sure shot way to loss. However I agree that such a chivalric display from a position of strength will generally impress people.