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.

Those he commands move only in command,
Nothing in live. Now does he feel his title
Hang read more

Those he commands move only in command,
Nothing in live. Now does he feel his title
Hang loose about him, like a giant's robe
Upon a dwarfish thief.

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.

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.

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'?

Well, I must be patient; there is no fettering of authority.

Well, I must be patient; there is no fettering of authority.

I have as much authority as the Pope, I just don't have as many people who believe it.

I have as much authority as the Pope, I just don't have as many people who believe it.

Every great advance in natural knowledge has involved the absolute rejection of authority.

Every great advance in natural knowledge has involved the absolute rejection of authority.

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.