"the phrase 'power corrupts' is totally false"

I think you have misquoted that phrase. It is actually "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely", which is true. It doesn't say power always corrupts. It does say absolute power always corrupts absolutely, which can't be denied. The author was careful to choose his words. Your simplified version of the phrase ("power corrupts") is indeed false, but you are the only one using that phrase.