How absolute power corrupts. An authority with absolute power can destroy morals.

"Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely" states that any power is corrupt. Although this statement is true more often than not, there are still instances where power is not corrupt. The aphorism tells that an authority destroys the honesty of what is right and wrong, and that any authority with total control destroys the honesty of what is right and wrong completely. This is true with the government's decision in the separation of church …

…not be taught what they believe but secular people get what they want. While this is only one of the many instances where the aphorism is true, there are some examples where it is not. An example of when the aphorism is true is with a minister. A minister teaches the morals of a religion. He does not persuade or use his power to corrupt the morals of the church and what is being taught.