“Bob Moses had learned what was needed to make dreams become realities. He had learned the lesson of power.
And now he grabbed for power with both hands.
To free his hands for the grab, he shook impatiently from them the last crumbs of the principles with which he had entered public service and for which, during his years of idealism, he had fought só hard.”
Robert A. Caro’s “The Power Broker: Robert Moses and the Fall of New York” is a detailed biography of Robert Moses, one of the most influential urban planners in American history. The book chronicles Moses’s rise to power and his profound impact on the development of New York City and its surrounding areas. Moses’s career spanned over four decades, during which he held various public offices and controlled numerous public authorities and commissions.
Context of the Quote:
In this quote, Caro reflects on a pivotal moment in Moses’s career. Early in his career, Moses was driven by a sense of idealism and a desire to serve the public. He entered public service with a set of principles aimed at improving urban infrastructure and living conditions. However, as he gained more experience and faced the complex realities of wielding power, Moses began to prioritize his ambitions over his initial ideals.
Explanation of the Quote:
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Learning the Lesson of Power: Moses realized that to make significant changes and achieve his ambitious plans, he needed to acquire and exercise power effectively. This required a deep understanding of political dynamics and bureaucratic maneuvering.
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Grabbing for Power: As Moses became more adept at navigating the corridors of power, he began to aggressively seek more control and influence. This involved consolidating his authority and expanding his reach across various public projects and institutions.
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Shedding Principles: In the pursuit of power, Moses began to abandon the idealistic principles that initially motivated him. The “last crumbs of the principles” symbolize the remnants of his early ethical commitments, which he discarded to clear the way for his power grab.
This quote highlights a common theme in Caro’s work: the corrupting influence of power. Moses’s transformation from an idealistic public servant to a power-driven bureaucrat exemplifies how the quest for power can lead individuals to compromise their values.
The quote also underscores the tension between idealism and pragmatism in public service, illustrating how the demands of wielding power can sometimes necessitate difficult ethical compromises.
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