Authority Quote by C. S. Lewis
“Believing things on authority only means believing them because you have been told them by someone you think trustworthy. Ninety-nine per cent of the things you believe are believed on authority... Every historical event in the world is believed on authority. None of us has seen the Norman Conquest or the defeat of the Armada.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Weight of Glory, 1942
Blind trust in authority limits understanding; questioning fosters deeper knowledge.
In simple terms: Authority can mislead.
Key Takeaway
Question and verify claims.
Themes
authority
critical thinking
truth
Mood
thoughtful
cautious
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- education
- media consumption
- historical research
- personal beliefs
Key Concepts
epistemology
skepticism
Questions to Reflect On
- What sources do you trust and why?
- How can you balance respect and skepticism?
A Different Perspective
Over‑reliance on authority can cause stagnation.
![“The rationale which accompanies that imposition of male authority euphemistically referred to as 'the battle of the sexes' bears a certain resemblance to the formulas of nations at war, where any heinousness is justified on the grounds that the enemy is either an inferior [part of the] species or…” quote by Kate Millett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/895/kate-millett-7301_accompany_the-rationale-which-accompanies-that-imp_8896.jpg)