6. Because the white man has power, we too want power, [Msimangu] said. But when a black man gets power, when he gets money, he is a great man if he is not corrupted. I have seen it often. He seeks power and money to put right what is wrong, and when he gets them, why, he enjoys the power and the money. Now he can gratify his lusts, now he can arrange ways to get white man's liquor, he can speak to thousands and hear them clap their hands. Some of us think when we have power, we shall revenge ourselves on the white man who has had power, and because our desire is corrupt, we are corrupt, and the power has no heart in it. But most white men do no know this truth about power, and they are afraid lest we get it. […] But there is only one thing that has power completely, and that is love. (Pg. 70)

What is the author trying to tell us about power, regardless of the color of the person’s skin?

The given lines are an extract from Alan Paton's novel Cry, The Beloved Country. The central theme of these lines are the motive behind lust for power and ways to attain it. The novel is written with the background of Colonialism in Africa and Apartheid in South Africa with racism at its peak.

Msimangu addresses Kumalo that power is not a desirable quality. He first says Power comes with money and then it leads to authority over others. The white man has power which motivates black man to get it too. He achieves it by the means of money and social status. He further explains that the path to power makes us immoral and corrupt. These lines are exceptionally pacifying as Msimangu tries to justify that even if the Black men achieves power, they shall turn immoral. It will be at the cost of someone else. Privilege is at the expense of exploiting an Unprivileged. According to him, Power is not the ideal desire, Love is. He believes love is the ultimate power that can unite the entire race.