--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Authority is first and foremost based on…" description: "\"“Authority is first and foremost based on reason.”\" — Antoine de Saint-Exupéry" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b61/antoine-de-saint-exup-ry-174_authority_authority-is-first-and-foremost-based-on_2572981.png" --- # Authority is first and foremost based on reason. ![“Authority is first and foremost based on reason.” quote by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b61/antoine-de-saint-exup-ry-174_authority_authority-is-first-and-foremost-based-on_2572981.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b61/antoine-de-saint-exup-ry-174_authority_authority-is-first-and-foremost-based-on_2572981.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b61/antoine-de-saint-exup-ry-174_authority_authority-is-first-and-foremost-based-on_2572981.png) > ““Authority is first and foremost based on reason.”” [Antoine de Saint-Exupéry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antoine-de-saint-exup-ry/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Authority should stem from rational justification rather than mere position. **In simple terms:** Authority needs reason. Key Takeaway Base authority on logical grounds. Themes leadership reason ethics Mood thoughtful critical Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - political leadership - organizational management - public speaking Key Concepts philosophy rationalism Questions to Reflect On - How do you assess the reasoning behind a leader's directives? - What checks ensure authority remains rational? A Different Perspective Authority without reason can become tyranny. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Authority](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/authority/) [Authority Foremost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/authority-foremost-1708552/) [Based Reason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/based-reason-1708553/) [Foremost Based](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/foremost-based-1708554/) [Power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/power/) [Reason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reason/) ## Related quotes > [If you think your belief is based upon reason, you will support it by argument rather than by persecution, and will abandon it if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/if-you-think-your-belief-is-based-upon-reason-you-will-support-it-by/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [As soon as a thought or word becomes a tool, one can dispense with actually 'thinking' it, that is, with going through the logical…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-horkheimer/as-soon-as-a-thought-or-word-becomes-a-tool-one-can-dispense-with/) [Max Horkheimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-horkheimer/) > [Action based on reason, action therefore which is only to be understood by reason, knows only one end, the greatest pleasure of the acting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ludwig-von-mises/action-based-on-reason-action-therefore-which-is-only-to-be/) [Ludwig von Mises](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ludwig-von-mises/) > [“Book knowledge takes action based on reasons; common sense takes action based on the reason from the reasons!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-agyemang-yeboah/book-knowledge-takes-action-based-on-reasons-common-sense-takes/) [Ernest Agyemang Yeboah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-agyemang-yeboah/) > [If you study carefully, you will see that Buddhism is based on reason. 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But the first…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-maria-remarque/the-idea-of-authority-which-they-represented-was-associated-in-our/) [Erich Maria Remarque](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-maria-remarque/) > [Sometimes it's easier for people who are in authority to be authoritarian, because people know where you stand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meryl-streep/sometimes-it-s-easier-for-people-who-are-in-authority-to-be/) [Meryl Streep](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meryl-streep/) > [“I'm of the age and immaturity level that I cannot give you my respect solely because you are older or ranked higher on an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erica-goros/i-m-of-the-age-and-immaturity-level-that-i-cannot-give-you-my-respect/) [Erica Goros](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erica-goros/) > [At a distance, we cannot conceive of the authority of a despot who knows all his subjects on sight.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stendhal/at-a-distance-we-cannot-conceive-of-the-authority-of-a-despot-who/) [Stendhal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stendhal/) ## More by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry > [“If you want to build a ship, don’t drum up the men to gather wood, divide the work, and give orders. 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You become responsible, forever, for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antoine-de-saint-exup-ry/and-the-fox-said-to-the-little-prince-men-have-forgotten-this-truth/) [Antoine de Saint-Exupery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antoine-de-saint-exup-ry/) > [And now here is my secret, a very simple secret; it is only with the heart that one can see rightly, what is essential…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antoine-de-saint-exup-ry/and-now-here-is-my-secret-a-very-simple-secret-it-is-only-with-the/) [Antoine de Saint-Exupery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antoine-de-saint-exup-ry/) > [Flying is a man's job and its worries are a man's worries.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antoine-de-saint-exup-ry/flying-is-a-man-s-job-and-its-worries-are-a-man-s-worries/) [Antoine de Saint-Exupery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antoine-de-saint-exup-ry/) > [“You are not at all like my rose," he said. "As yet you are nothing. 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