Why do people with a little bit of power tend to enjoy messing with others more?

A screenshot once caused a lot of buzz online. In a university student group chat, a female student @某学长 asked a question. Unexpectedly, the admin replied harshly, “Chairman Yang, is that something you can @ directly?” and even used profanity. Another admin immediately reminded everyone to be mindful of their identity and tone.

Another story is quite thought-provoking: a student from a university revealed that during the Mid-Autumn Festival, a minister from the student union’s organization department posted a “declaration” in the group, asking all minor officials to send blessings to the minister and chairman, making sure not to misspell their names.

As a result, a new member of the student union’s organization department accidentally misspelled a minister’s name while sending a blessing message. The minister immediately flew into a rage, replying arrogantly, “Write my name 50 times and hold a meeting to check.”

Netizens commented: "They’re all students, why act so official?” “It seems that power isn’t just a game for adults anymore; students have learned to flatter and curry favor too…”

Have you noticed this phenomenon: the more someone has a little bit of power, the more they like to show off and go to extremes to torment others.

As the saying goes: “It’s easy to see the King of Hell, but hard to deal with little ghosts.” Once “little ghosts” gain some power, they immediately enjoy the thrill of being in a high position. To showcase their presence, they will vigorously torment and make things difficult for others within their authority. Seeing others exhausted physically and mentally, they feel incredibly happy and satisfied.

Excessive desire for power can weaken people’s compassion. Honest, kind, and gentle ordinary citizens, once given another identity and more control over others, will instantly become ferocious.

Renowned scholar Wu Si wrote in his book Unwritten Rules that people with one or more powers are likely to use various lofty reasons to harm others. He summarized this as “Legal Harm Power.” For example, a company boss can force employees to work 996 at will or dismiss them unconditionally; a mentor can pressure students to obey, and if things go wrong, make students delay graduation…

The reason ordinary people fear and even blindly obey those in high positions is because those wielding power tightly control this “Legal Harm Power.” They can hurt others without restraint and rarely bear responsibility.

However, while we fear and submit to power, a seed of desire is also planted in our hearts. The more afraid we are, the more we crave. Once some power is truly in our hands, many immediately become arrogant and exploit others at will.

Take security guards, for example. Their insignificant power has caused many disturbances. In 2019, Mr. Ji from a residential community in Hangzhou was excited to buy a new car. On his way home, he was stopped at the gate by a security guard. The guard claimed he hadn’t seen his car and questioned him like a criminal, with sharp words. They almost fought.

In 2018, a master named Shi rushed to deliver food to a residential community in Wuxi, but was violently stopped by security at the gate. Shi explained he was delivering an order for a resident and hoped the guard would be lenient and let him in first. But the guard refused to listen, kept arguing, and cursed, “Shameless delivery guy!”

Shi was unjustly scolded and even received a complaint from the resident. A reporter heard about the incident and went to interview. It turned out there was no rule forbidding delivery personnel from entering the community; it was purely the security guard’s own decision.

Many seemingly “harmless” people, once their desire for power rises, tend to become “scoundrels.” Once they truly acquire some power, they are likely to do even more despicable things.

As ordinary people, we must be vigilant against the temptation of power, avoiding being subtly corrupted or transformed. Face those with high authority with a calm and respectful attitude. Don’t flatter or fawn just because you’re afraid of being harmed. Stand tall and maintain the right mindset to gradually uproot the seed of desire in your heart.

If you happen to hold a little bit of power, you must constantly prune your desires and keep the alarm bell ringing in your heart. For example, government officials should always remind themselves to enforce justice, actively protect the interests of the people and social stability; teachers should treat every student fairly and justly, embody kindness and justice; company bosses should respect subordinates, avoid arrogance, and manage with clear and strict systems…

The reason power is addictive is that it can numb the nerves and create an illusion. Those with a bit of power often see themselves as superior, constantly shouting internally: “I’m so awesome!” “I control everything!” Little do they realize, when they puff up their chests, what’s exposed is their empty minds and shallow souls.

**$ACT **