It's both.

But I'd argue that "power corrupts" is more accurate in totality, because while corrupt people do seek power, non-corrupt people can also seek power for virtuous reasons. However, once they attain power, it becomes difficult for them to resist the corrupting influences of power.

the puppets of the powerful elite psychologists have a traumatized mind and weak spirit, probably since childhood. once part of the puppet club, it's really hard to leave.

u can see the transformation of music artists who "sell their soul to the devil," probably after attending one of the recruitment parties in order to become famous. often the puppets are inbred, sometimes systematically abused in order to mold the psyche into obedience to the masters.

it's difficult to find the one psychopath for a specific role, so there are multiple religions & movements that are designed to draw in the people predisposed to violence, revenge, or those who are perfectly obedient in following orders (no conscience).

the people u talk about do not gain the power. they are granted the power, after they prove to be useful. once the mission is fulfilled, they are discarded.

I would be a completely different person if I possessed 5 thousand bitcoins. I would hope to stay the same, but in all honesty I'm sure I'd become a maniac. It's probably foolish to assume I'd be able to wield the ring of power responsibly.

Not sure if godlike power sits well with human nature, our monkey brains all have a primal side that tends to use power as a bludgeon rather than a scalpel.

People starting to gain popularity early in life get corrupted by intelligence agencies (who retain the evidence). These people then get groomed for, and given power. Under lifelong blackmail they will always do what they are told.

Entering in politic corrupt

The corrupt ALWAYS seek power and some narcissistic psychopaths succeed. Or why else do you think the world is like this?

I firmly believe that power corrupts you!! Change your mind!! And the love of money ends your life!!! The same example happened with "Hugo Chavez" who became president of that unfortunate country in the north of South America... promising hope and benefits to the poorest... 30 years later it is in the greatest economic and social collapse in its history!! With more than 8 million people who have already fled the place and stop counting all the evil that was the arrival of that "Lieutenant Colonel" to the seat of Miraflores, a simple soldier who stole everything in his path!! And today his daughters are multimillionaires abroad..

When you get killed or missing the people who did this will paint you to be the worst man in the world.

Seriously, Donald Trump was "Hitler" and he was the subject of several assassination attempts. But they didn't kill him.

Either Martyr or demon your are longer around to defend yourself.

I do not think people are inherently corrupt. I think it is conditioning.

I was in a position of power as a community manager for a very popular (at the time) competitive mobile game. One of my jobs was figuring out who to ban for cheating.

it quickly became apparent how those subject to authority seek to bend it.. I learned in this very silly way about how power can corrupt

Depends on the person and their soul / character. What do they do when no one is looking?