

It kind of IS a meaningful distinction, though. You can get power and influence without seeking it, and you can seek power and influence without having it. Not everyone who has power is genocidal and not everyone who is genocidal has power.
The idea that power corrupts feels like a way for the corrupt to blame something other than themselves for their corruption. They justify their evil deeds by saying “anyone in my position would do the same,” ignoring all the people not doing the same. They were always corrupt, but nobody noticed until they had power.
Unless you’re trying to play a wacky game. Then it quickly turns into game of thrones.