Authority Quote by John Engler
“I created no authority that wasn't already there under the constitution.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: State of the State Address, Michigan, 1995
Authority derives from the constitution, not from personal creation.
In simple terms: Authority comes from law, not individuals.
Key Takeaway
Respect constitutional limits.
Themes
government
law
authority
Mood
formal
serious
Type
political
legal
When to use this quote
- legislative drafting
- judicial review
- public policy
- civic education
Key Concepts
constitutional law
separation of powers
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we ensure officials follow constitutional limits?
- What happens when law and politics clash?
A Different Perspective
Constitutional authority can be contested by political pressure.
![“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)