Quotes About Authority

When I want to know your opinion, I'll consult your entrails.

He kicked in the door with one casual blow, leaned in, and said, Please don't run. I'm not in a good mood. Better if you just sit still. He cocked his head and listened, then smiled. Ah, he said. And there he goes. You two wait here.

Do you imagine that they're going to issue me a citation...what was your name again? Still Eve. No, I'm sure it's something else. That doesn't seem right.

There are always a few, Claire, who like being told what to do instead of being required to think. And those are the ones you should fear. That goes equally for humans, I'm afraid. Critical thinking has become a sadly rare skill these days.

The only way to stop a rebellion is to crush it with blood and fire, and to wound them so they'll never dare to raise a hand again.

The problem with ruling by fear is that eventually, when the fear fades, fury replaces it.

His divine wisdom can kiss my common arse

Dario, What you do or do not want applies to you, not me. I didn't ask your permission, and I don't seek your approval!' Khalia's voice had taken on a hard edge, and Dario was the first to look away. 'Congratulations,' Glain said 'You're both wildly independent, and now the Archivist has to be wondering why both of you would want to get close to him at the same time. Clearly, neither of you are cut out to be spies.

Because revolution rarely comes from those in charge.

A petty kind of power is still power.

The Great Library may have once been a boon, but what is it today? What does it give us? It suppresses! It stifles! You, sir, do you own a book? No, sir, not a blank, filled only with what they want you to read...a real book, an original work, in the hand of the writer? The library owns our memories, yet you cannot own your own books! Why? Why do they fear it? Why do they fear to allow you the choice?

Library rules the world, son.

Get in here and make me some dinner—now, woman. News flash, Michael, you're supposed to be evil, not redneck!

Power holds always the hidden edge of threat.

It's almost like rising to the highest levels of power comes with a side order of sociopathy—who could have seen that coming?

Library rules the world, son. Best to have a seat at the table

They'll use a pair of clubs to beat the spades

being admired gives you more power than being feared.

First, it is a mistake to presume to know anyone's internal emotional landscape based on what external emotional signals they seem to be sending. Second, you can apologize for something you have done, but only a fool apologizes for things that other people have done, for he has no authority to do that.

People think power makes them big, but it brings out their inner bratty child and makes them small. - Grady Adams - Breathless by Dean Koontz pg 287 chapter 59

Scourges assumed authority they had not been granted. They made a carefully reasoned decision to kill in greater numbers than were absolutely necessary to save themselves and the innocents who needed their protection. Scourges transgressed against social and sacred order... Scourges themselves are always scourged.

Self-identified intellectuals were among the most dangerous people on the planet.

freedom and civility were barriers to absolute power and to the adoration that the powerful could command of others.

Although Grandpa never put it in words for me, one thing I learned from him was that being admired gives you more power than being feared.