Authority Quote by Jacques Maritain
“Power without authority is tyranny.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Person and the Common Good, 1947
Authority without power leads to oppression; legitimate power must be grounded in moral authority.
In simple terms: Power without authority is tyranny.
Key Takeaway
Ensure authority is backed by legitimate power.
Themes
politics
ethics
governance
Mood
cautious
reflective
Type
philosophical
critical
When to use this quote
- Corporate leadership
- government rule
- community organizations
Key Concepts
Legitimacy
moral authority
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies safeguard against tyranny?
- What checks balance authority?
A Different Perspective
Power can be abused even with authority.
![“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)