---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: No man has the right to rule over another…"
description: "\"“No man has the right to rule over another man, otherwise such a right necessarily, and immediately becomes the right of the strongest. As the tiger in..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ce6/abraham-kuyper-15926_another-man_no-man-has-the-right-to-rule-over-anothe_1370806.png"
---

#  No man has the right to rule over another man, otherwise…

![“No man has the right to rule over another man, otherwise such a right necessarily, and immediately becomes the right of the strongest. As the tiger in the jungle rules over the defenceless antelope, so on the banks of the Nile a Pharaoh ruled over the progenitors of the fellaheen of Egypt. Nor can…” quote by Abraham Kuyper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ce6/abraham-kuyper-15926_another-man_no-man-has-the-right-to-rule-over-anothe_1370806.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ce6/abraham-kuyper-15926_another-man_no-man-has-the-right-to-rule-over-anothe_1370806.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ce6/abraham-kuyper-15926_another-man_no-man-has-the-right-to-rule-over-anothe_1370806.png)

> ““No man has the right to rule over another man, otherwise such a right necessarily, and immediately becomes the right of the strongest. As the tiger in the jungle rules over the defenceless antelope, so on the banks of the Nile a Pharaoh ruled over the progenitors of the fellaheen of Egypt. Nor can a group of men, by contract, from their own right, compel you to obey a fellow-man. What binding force is there for me in the allegation that ages ago one of my progenitors made a ‘Contrat Social,’ with other men of that time? As man I stand free and bold, over against the most powerful of my fellow-men. I do not speak of the family, for here organic, natural ties rule; but in the sphere of the State I do not yield or bow down to anyone, who is man, as I am.””

[Abraham Kuyper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-kuyper/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The passage argues that political authority cannot be justified by tradition or force; true legitimacy comes from individual freedom and mutual consent, not domination by the strong.

**In simple terms:** Authority must be based on consent, not power.

Key Takeaway

Reject domination, demand voluntary agreement.

Themes

political philosophy individual liberty social contract power dynamics

Mood

defiant thoughtful

Type

philosophical political critical

When to use this quote

- civil rights activism
- constitutional drafting
- grassroots organizing
- academic debate

Key Concepts

sovereignty consent natural rights state authority

Questions to Reflect On

- What sources should legitimize political authority?
- How can societies balance individual freedom with collective needs?

A Different Perspective

It may overlook practical needs for coordinated governance and collective decision‑making.

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