Unthinking respect for authority is the greatest enemy of truth.

Unthinking respect for authority is the greatest enemy of truth.

He seems to be of great authority. Close with him, give him
gold; and though authority be a stubborn read more

He seems to be of great authority. Close with him, give him
gold; and though authority be a stubborn bear, yet he is oft led
by the nose with gold.

If you wish to know what a man is, place him in authority.

If you wish to know what a man is, place him in authority.

Authority forgets a dying king,
Laid widow'd of the power in his eye
That bow'd the will.

Authority forgets a dying king,
Laid widow'd of the power in his eye
That bow'd the will.

A position of authority is neither necessary nor sufficient for the exercise of leadership.

A position of authority is neither necessary nor sufficient for the exercise of leadership.

All authority must be out of a man's self, turned . . . either
upon an art, or upon read more

All authority must be out of a man's self, turned . . . either
upon an art, or upon a man.
- Francis Bacon,

Thus can the demigod Authority
Make us pay down for our offense by weight
The words of read more

Thus can the demigod Authority
Make us pay down for our offense by weight
The words of heaven; on whom it will, it will,
On whom it will not, so: yet still 'tis just.

Shall remain!
Hear you this Triton of the minnows? Mark you
His absolute 'shall'?

Shall remain!
Hear you this Triton of the minnows? Mark you
His absolute 'shall'?

Merciful heaven,
Thou rather with thy sharp and sulphurous bolt
Splits the unwedgeable and gnarled oak
read more

Merciful heaven,
Thou rather with thy sharp and sulphurous bolt
Splits the unwedgeable and gnarled oak
Than the soft myrtle; but man, proud man,
Dressed in a little brief authority,
Most ignorant of what he's most assured
His glassy essence--like an angry ape
Plays such fantastic tricks before high heaven
As makes the angels weep; who, with our spleens,
would all themselves laugh mortal.