Authority Quote by Doris Lessing
“The automatic reaction of practically any young person is, at once, against authority. That, I think, began in the First World War because of the trenches, and the incompetence of the people on all fronts.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: The Guardian, 1975
Young people instinctively resist authority, a reaction rooted in wartime trauma and disillusionment.
In simple terms: Rebellion stems from historical trauma.
Key Takeaway
Channel youthful energy into constructive change.
Themes
authority
rebellion
history
psychology
Mood
defiant
reflective
Type
social
political
When to use this quote
- education reform
- activism
- family dynamics
Key Concepts
post‑war trauma
generational angst
social critique
Questions to Reflect On
- What authority do you respect and why?
- How can rebellion be constructive?
A Different Perspective
Not all authority is oppressive; some structures provide stability.
![“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)