Authority Quote by Friedrich Nietzsche
“The belief in authority is the source of conscience; which is therefore not the voice of God in the heart of man, but the voice of some men in man.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Beyond Good and Evil, 1886
Authority shapes conscience, replacing divine inner voice with societal influence.
In simple terms: Authority influences our moral sense more than divine guidance.
Key Takeaway
Question the origins of your moral beliefs.
Themes
authority
morality
consciousness
Mood
critical
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
reflective
When to use this quote
- political discourse
- ethical decision making
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
philosophy
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- What influences your sense of right and wrong?
- Can conscience be truly independent of authority?
A Different Perspective
May overlook innate moral intuition and individual agency.
![“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)