India, July 27 -- Arrogance has always been the greatest enemy of those who wield power. It blinds rulers to the consequences of their actions, convinces them that they are infallible, and leads them to dismiss criticism as the handiwork of enemies. History is replete with examples of mighty leaders brought down not by external adversaries but by their own hubris.

Napoleon Bonaparte's disastrous invasion of Russia was born out of overconfidence. So was Hitler's invasion codenamed Operation Barbarossa. Closer to home, the Emergency imposed by Indira Gandhi in 1975 demonstrated how the belief that one could silence dissent indefinitely ultimately resulted in a humiliating electoral defeat.

Power, when tempered by humility, strengthens de...