Quotes About Authority

The greatest choking authority of all time was almost certainly a dour American doctor with the luxuriant name of Chevalier Quixote Jackson, who lived from 1865 to 1958. Jackson has been called (by the Society of Thoracic Surgeons) "the father of American bronchoesophagoscopy," and he was most assuredly that, though it must also be said there were not a lot of other contenders.

And you hear me, you unelected flunky. I only take orders from the president. Until I hear from him, I'll be

If there is nothing else to learn from history, it's that from humans to animals, from the most primitive to the most civilized, most individuals want to be led. Take out the leader, and the rest of the pack panics.

I have stood down sadistic drill sergeants, cruel Iraqi interrogators, partisan lawmakers, and the Washington press corps, but my daughter can punch my buttons like no one else.

Take out the leader, and the rest of the pack panics.

It's hard to be humble when they play a song for you every time you enter the room, when the world financial markets hang on your every word, and when you command the worlds greatest military arsenal, but if you need to knock yourself down a few pegs, try checking your stool for blood.

I'm not the boss of my house. I don't know how I lost it, I don't know when I lost it, I don't really think I ever had it. But I've seen the boss's job...and I don't want it!

Parents are not really interested in justice. They just want quiet.

Can I come right out and say it? It's time for church leaders to really lead.

Until about 1970 when parents beat their children to death they very often escaped punishment. They would be prosecuted if it was clear and deliberate murder, but if a parent slapped or shook a child and the child died and the parent said the kid fell down the steps, the police virtually never followed up.

Fascism is when corporations become the government.

It is not a surprise that a person would want to be a prophet. What's ridiculous is that other people let him.

Ms. Wormwood: Calvin, can you tell us what Lewis and Clark did? Calvin: No, but I can recite the secret superhero origin of each member of Captain Napalm's Thermonuclear League of Liberty. Ms. Wormwood: See me after class, Calvin. Calvin: [retrospectively] I'm not dumb. I just have a command of thoroughly useless information.

You can drag my body to school but my spirit refuses to go.

I keep forgetting that rules are only for little nice people.

You are demoted from First Tiger to bulk rate.

Calvin: I'm being educated against my will! My rights are being trampled! Hobbes: Is it a right to remain ignorant? Calvin: I don't know, but I refuse to find out!

While Calvin is in the classroom TEACHER: Yes, Calvin? CALVIN: Miss Wormwood, I'm a fierce advocate of the separation of church and state. CALVIN: Nevertheless, I feel the need for spiritual guidance and comfort as I face the day's struggles. CALVIN: So I was wondering if I could strip down, smear myself withg paste, and set fire to this little effigy of you in a non-denominational sort of way. CALVIN (After being sent to the Principal's office): Boy, what a touchy subject!

Those who insist we band together tend to see themselves in charge.

Different rules apply to those who shake the worlds.

though they know in their adult hearts, even as they threaten to banish Timmy to bed for his appalling behavior, that their bosses are Big Fatty Stupids, their wives are Dopey Dopeheads and that they themselves are Mr. Sillypants.

would have to say that the crown resting on the head of my

When I asked a Big Dog friend of mine whether it was important to sell up through an organization and obtain consensus along the way, he chuckled, and with a low growl said, "That would be a colossal waste of time—find the 'man,' set up the meeting and do the deal!

Justice without force is powerless; force without justice is tyrannical.