[HPforGrownups] There is only power

[bloubet at incanmonkey.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 48287

>> So return to the above quote, "There is no good and evil, there is
>> only power, and those too weak to seek it."  Hehehe, I have that
>> memorized now verbatim.  Sorry, easily amused at this hour.  In
>>light of all that has been typed, how are we to interpret this statement?
>> If you loose faith in good and evil, there is only failure, and
>>those too blind to see it?
>>
>>
>> Melody

>Since it is *Voldemort* speaking here (via Quirrel) perhaps JKR's
>attitude could be more truly expressed by a direct reversal:
>
>"There is good and evil. There is not only power. Those who do not
>seek power are not weak."
>
>Pip!Squeak

I think perhaps something important here is to add, "... there is only power *for its own sake*, and those too weak to seek it." from Voldemort's point of view.

Hmm... I meant what I just said, but I don't think it's going to get my point across. Lemme 'splain. <shades of Princess Bride> <grin>

(all IMHO, of course) Power is a tool. You can have good and evil, and also have power. If you use power as a tool for good, you're still good. If you use it as a tool for evil, you're still evil. Power is neutral. Seeking power is not evil. Power can be used for good, and can be obtained without hurting yourself or anyone else.

Voldemort's problems are twofold. (1) He doesn't see a line between good and evil, or even a continuum, for that matter. There is no moral judgment to be passed on any action. It's not just unimportant -- it doesn't exist. Most people can see a morality continuum, and know that it affects their choices. While most of us would probably say that Voldemort is *wrong* in this belief, we can at least say that he is out of step with most of the rest of humanity.

(2) He believes that the search for power is the only true meaning to life. If you don't seek power, it's because you're too weak to try, you don't have the guts or the strength to reach out and grab all the power that can be yours. The goal in life is power itself. Power *for its own sake*. Not power to do good, power to defeat your enemies, power to control the world. Just power. Voldemort's goal is to be the most powerful wizard in the world. He was defeated the first time by Dumbledore (he had fear of Dumbledore and so was weak in comparison -- a flaw he plans to remedy this time around) and by Harry. Harry and Dumbledore were more powerful than Voldemort. And that's what he just can't stand. He abhors weakness, and he especially abhors it in himself. To wipe out that weakness, he has to be the most powerful -- and that means eradicating Dumbledore and Harry. What will he do once he's the most powerful? I don't think he's really thought that far ahead. And THAT is his se!
cond problem. His life has been built around the pursuit of a tool, with no goal in mind to use it for. How empty is that?

bel