How we cite our quotes: (Part.Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
A [Seldon]. The explanation is simple. The coming destruction of Trantor is not an event in itself, isolated in the scheme of human development. It will be the climax to an intricate drama which was begun centuries ago and which is accelerating in pace continuously. (I.6.69)
Usually when we think of empires collapsing in stories, we think of a single, evil Dark Lord responsible for the destruction. Looking at you, Sauron. But in Foundation, the power of civilization itself is responsible for its own downfall. That's a bummer.
Quote #2
"I'm sorry, Pirenne, but the City Charter guarantees a certain minor matter known as freedom of the press." (II.1.30)
Power to the people! Freedom of the press is exactly that: power in the hands of the people.
Quote #3
"Not tribute. Taxes. We're protecting you. You pay for it." (II.2.60)
The old economic power grab. Here, Anacreon wants power over the Foundation, and they figure they can get them where it hurts—the bank. Notice how they say it's for protection—how Mafioso of them.
Quote #4
"You see, there is a branch of human knowledge known as symbolic logic, which can be used to prune away all sorts of clogging deadwood that clutters up human language." (II.5.14)
Power comes not only from the press, but also in one's education. Here, Hardin uses knowledge to decipher a code, allowing him to see beyond the words of a treaty and to the treaty writer's true intentions. Education and knowledge, chalk up two more forms of subtle power. (Also, we're thinking a shoutout to close reading.)
Quote #5
"Were you to discover those ins and outs, our plan might fail; as it would have, had you penetrated the fraud of the Encyclopedia earlier; for then, by knowledge, your freedom of action would have expanded and the number of additional variables introduced would become greater than our psychology could handle." (II.7.23)
Knowledge is power, so here, Seldon withholds information to maintain power over the Foundation. Should they have the knowledge, they might no go along with his plan. And Seldon can't have that, no sir.
Quote #6
"I helped each in turn. I offered them science, trade, education, scientific medicine. I made Terminus of more value to them as a flourishing world than as a military prize. It worked for thirty years." (III.1.66)
Four out of five mayors prefer knowledge to military power in a blind taste test. (And the opposite for military generals, we guess.) Here, Hardin explains how he used forms of knowledge as power—the ones we've discussed above—to overcome the military power of the Four Kingdoms.
Quote #7
"The Foundation is the source of power and might. All the greatness of Anacreon; all its ships and its cities and its people and its commerce depend on the dribbles and leavings of power that the Foundation have given us grudgingly." (III.3.43)
Even Wienis, who is all about the military, understands that the Foundation is super powerful. Unfortunately for him, he hasn't figured out where the Foundation's power comes from, so he thinks he can take it through military strength. Big mistake.
Quote #8
"The Actionist party is splitting wide open, and we can murder it right now on a straight question of equal rights for traders; or, rather, democracy, pro- and anti-." (V.3.9)
Sometimes, power comes from asking the right questions. With that information, the people have the power to turn against or for the Actionists. Based on this quote, we're going to assume the answer is against. (We're also going to assume that politicians were a lot more straightforward in Asimov's day, because a straight question is no guarantee of a straight answer, these days.)
Quote #9
"They don't know what I'm doing here and I don't know what they've got here. But I'm in the weaker position because I'm one and they're an entire world—maybe with atomic power. I can't afford to be the one to weaken." (V.4.17)
Notice how the lack of information makes Mallow weak? Yep, you guessed it, knowledge is power. Just thought we'd drive that one home a bit further.
Quote #10
"That's outside the question, revered one. You are here against the law of both Korell and the Foundation. I cannot in law protect you." (V.4.62)
As Judge Dredd can tell you, the law is powerful, and it's usually best to have the law on your side. Notice that without the law on his side, Mallow can't do anything to help. No law, no service.