Authority Quote by J. R. R. Tolkien
““those who will defend authority against rebellion must not themselves rebel.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Lord of the Rings, 1954
Authority must not become the very thing it opposes; rebellion against it is contradictory.
In simple terms: Defending authority while rebelling is hypocritical.
Key Takeaway
Avoid contradictory actions.
Themes
authority
rebellion
hypocrisy
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- government policy
- activist movements
- personal conduct
Key Concepts
political philosophy
ethics
Questions to Reflect On
- Is it possible to support order without suppressing dissent?
- When does loyalty become complicity?
A Different Perspective
Even justified authority can become oppressive if unchallenged.
![“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)