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.

Authority intoxicates,
And makes mere sots of magistrates;
The fumes of it invade the brain,
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Authority intoxicates,
And makes mere sots of magistrates;
The fumes of it invade the brain,
And make men giddy, proud, and vain.

Unthinking respect for authority is the greatest enemy of truth.

Unthinking respect for authority is the greatest enemy of truth.

The weaker the man in authority... the stronger his insistence that all his privileges be acknowledged.

The weaker the man in authority... the stronger his insistence that all his privileges be acknowledged.

The wisest have the most authority

The wisest have the most authority

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.

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.

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.

If you're going to kick authority in the teeth, you might as well use two feet.

If you're going to kick authority in the teeth, you might as well use two feet.