Restraint in the use of power is a need of the hour. We have seen a lot of destruction and pain due to unnecessary usage of power in many parts of the world in the form of wars i.e use of power. Some restraint on the part of fighting nations could have saved lot of lives and wealth. That is one of the reasons why I believe restraint is better and beneficial that actual use of power. Actually there are very few situations when one must use his/her powers but in most of the other cases, even the fact that one has necessry power or authority is sufficient.

Take an example of United States of America. The fact that she is the most powerful nation on earth gives her number of benefits and privilages. Everyone looks at her with respect. But that does not mean that in order to show the superiority and strength, USA has to go on war with other nations. Just the fact that USA has the miltary prowess is sufficient to defend her interests.

On the other hand, world has already seen the fallouts of use of power. Let us again take the example of USA again. The fact that USA went on war with Vietnam and could not win, does not strenghtn the superiority of USA. Rather, if USA had stayed out of Vietnam, that would had created greater respect for America in the world. Even if one is strong, the unnecessary show of your powers can put you in a lot of trouble and that message was clear from the Vietnam War.

Another relevant eample here is that of India and Pakistan. The fact that both the nations are powered with nuclear weapons is sufficient to keep them away from going to war with each other considering the fallouts of nuclear war. But the day, one of them  uses nuclear weapons against another, the benefit of the nuclear weapons as a war deterrant will go away and the result will be an unimaginable destruction and loss of human lives. Nobody will benefit or win in that scenario.

In conlusion, I would not say that one should never use his/her powers. There are situtions when you must show your strength. But the pragmatic thing to do is to save your powers for the better occasions/situations. Over zealot use of power will cause its dissipation. On the other hand, restraint will save your powers and you will have more numbre of friends than enemies.