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

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.

To punish me for my contempt for authority, fate made me an authority myself.

To punish me for my contempt for authority, fate made me an authority myself.

Liberty is the proper end and object of authority, and cannot subsist without it; and it is liberty to that read more

Liberty is the proper end and object of authority, and cannot subsist without it; and it is liberty to that which is good, just, and honest.

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.

Authority is never without hate.

Authority is never without hate.

Always acknowledge a fault. This will throw those in authority off their guard and give you an opportunity to commit read more

Always acknowledge a fault. This will throw those in authority off their guard and give you an opportunity to commit more.

He who rules by moral force is like the pole star, which remains
in place while all the lesser read more

He who rules by moral force is like the pole star, which remains
in place while all the lesser stars do homage to it.

Authority is quite degrading

Authority is quite degrading