--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When I played, the owners had the power…" description: "\"When I played, the owners had the power. The prisoners are running the prison now, not the warden. The warden is strong and he has say so but, the bala..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/200/julius-erving-10131_balance_when-i-played-the-owners-had-the-power-t_772398.jpg" --- # When I played, the owners had the power. The prisoners are… ![“When I played, the owners had the power. The prisoners are running the prison now, not the warden. The warden is strong and he has say so but, the balance of power is definitely with the players.” quote by Julius Erving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/200/julius-erving-10131_balance_when-i-played-the-owners-had-the-power-t_772398.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/200/julius-erving-10131_balance_when-i-played-the-owners-had-the-power-t_772398.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/200/julius-erving-10131_balance_when-i-played-the-owners-had-the-power-t_772398.jpg) > “When I played, the owners had the power. The prisoners are running the prison now, not the warden. The warden is strong and he has say so but, the balance of power is definitely with the players.” [Julius Erving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julius-erving/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Power dynamics shift when those once controlled become the dominant force, altering authority structures. **In simple terms:** Those in power can become the ones being controlled. Key Takeaway Recognize and adapt to changing power balances. Themes power authority control leadership balance Mood reflective analytical Type observational critical When to use this quote - team sports - corporate leadership - political movements - community organizing Key Concepts social dynamics influence agency Questions to Reflect On - How do you respond when your role reverses? - What safeguards maintain healthy power distribution? A Different Perspective Power can be fragile and may revert if not managed wisely. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Balance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/balance/) [Balance of power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/balance-of-power/) [Prison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prison/) [Prisoner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prisoner/) [Prisoners](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prisoners/) [Running](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/running/) [Warden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/warden/) ## Related quotes > [“Ten minutes after that and the inmates of Furnace were starting to feel invincible, running around the prison looking for the hidden security cameras…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-gordon-smith/ten-minutes-after-that-and-the-inmates-of-furnace-were-starting-to/) [Alexander Gordon Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-gordon-smith/) > [As the warden of San Quentin, I presided over four executions. After each one, someone on the staff would ask, 'Is the world safer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeanne-woodford/as-the-warden-of-san-quentin-i-presided-over-four-executions-after/) Jeanne Woodford > [Ten guards and the warden couldn't have torn me out of those books. Months passed without even thinking about being imprisoned…I had never been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-x/ten-guards-and-the-warden-couldn-t-have-torn-me-out-of-those-books/) [Malcolm X](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-x/) > [Just take it from me," Donovan said. "Stay well clear of the warden. Some here think he's the devil. I don't, I don't believe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-gordon-smith/just-take-it-from-me-donovan-said-stay-well-clear-of-the-warden-some/) [Alexander Gordon Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-gordon-smith/) > [Warden Baggett, thank you so much. You have been so good to me. I love all of you very much. I will see you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karla-faye-tucker/warden-baggett-thank-you-so-much-you-have-been-so-good-to-me-i-love/) Karla Faye Tucker > [“Here she comes, running, out of prison and off the pedestal: chains off, crown off, halo off, just a live woman.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-perkins-gilman/here-she-comes-running-out-of-prison-and-off-the-pedestal-chains-off/) [Charlotte Perkins Gilman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-perkins-gilman/) > [The costs of running a prison system as large as Arkansas' are significant, and the system's failures can make things worse.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-flock/the-costs-of-running-a-prison-system-as-large-as-arkansas-are/) [Elizabeth Flock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-flock/) > [“I declared her brain frozen and assumed command of the local Warden detachment, which was handy, since it consisted of only me anyway.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-butcher/i-declared-her-brain-frozen-and-assumed-command-of-the-local-warden/) [Jim Butcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-butcher/) > [“The round-head counselor/warden finally stopped talking. He was worn out. He folded his short arms defensively”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-goldberg-sloan/the-round-head-counselor-warden-finally-stopped-talking-he-was-worn/) [Holly Goldberg Sloan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-goldberg-sloan/) > [“What's the point in answering, Warden? It's obvious that you've already tried and convicted me. If I tell you I am involved, you will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-butcher/what-s-the-point-in-answering-warden-it-s-obvious-that-you-ve-already/) [Jim Butcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-butcher/) > [“Warden had a theory about women: For years he had been asking them to sleep with him, the ones that interested him. "Will you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-jones/warden-had-a-theory-about-women-for-years-he-had-been-asking-them-to/) [James Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-jones/) > [“You've been with us a long time, Warden," he continued. "Have you ever found a man who really wants to be bad? Unconventional, yes.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-e-lawes/you-ve-been-with-us-a-long-time-warden-he-continued-have-you-ever/) [Lewis E. Lawes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-e-lawes/) > [“Prison is the easiest way out for authority, as locks and keys are the warden's simplest tools. It does not require strong imagination or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-e-lawes/prison-is-the-easiest-way-out-for-authority-as-locks-and-keys-are-the/) [Lewis E. Lawes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-e-lawes/) > [The prisoner never loves his warden, even if he obeys the rules from time to time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-wilson/the-prisoner-never-loves-his-warden-even-if-he-obeys-the-rules-from/) [Rick Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-wilson/) > [“Welcome home, Soldier of Furnace.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-gordon-smith/welcome-home-soldier-of-furnace/) [Alexander Gordon Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-gordon-smith/) ## More by Julius Erving > [I liked the game, I enjoyed the game, and the game fed me enough, and gave me enough rewards to reinforce that this is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julius-erving/i-liked-the-game-i-enjoyed-the-game-and-the-game-fed-me-enough-and/) [Julius Erving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julius-erving/) > [You know, just in terms of having to have a life on the road, you know, having the celebrity aspect be a burden for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julius-erving/you-know-just-in-terms-of-having-to-have-a-life-on-the-road-you-know/) [Julius Erving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julius-erving/) > [But you know, we have a very normal family. We've had our ups and downs. You know, we've had our issues, but we've had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julius-erving/but-you-know-we-have-a-very-normal-family-we-ve-had-our-ups-and-downs/) [Julius Erving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julius-erving/) > [LA Clippers should come to Louisville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julius-erving/la-clippers-should-come-to-louisville/) [Julius Erving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julius-erving/) > [Being a professional is doing the things you love to do, on the days you don't feel like doing them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julius-erving/being-a-professional-is-doing-the-things-you-love-to-do-on-the-days/) [Julius Erving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julius-erving/) > [I think I was chosen by basketball, although I never really physically got drafted to any team that I played for.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julius-erving/i-think-i-was-chosen-by-basketball-although-i-never-really-physically/) [Julius Erving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julius-erving/) > [As a kid, I played a lot of one-on-none.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julius-erving/as-a-kid-i-played-a-lot-of-one-on-none/) [Julius Erving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julius-erving/) > [Goals determine what you are going to be](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julius-erving/goals-determine-what-you-are-going-to-be/) [Julius Erving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julius-erving/) > [I demand more from myself than anybody could ever expect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julius-erving/i-demand-more-from-myself-than-anybody-could-ever-expect/) [Julius Erving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julius-erving/) > [I think that my God-given physical attributes, big hands, and big feet, the way that I'm built, proportion-wise, just made basketball the most inviting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julius-erving/i-think-that-my-god-given-physical-attributes-big-hands-and-big-feet/) [Julius Erving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julius-erving/) > [I've always tried to tell myself that the work itself is the thing, that win, lose, or draw, the work is really what counts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julius-erving/i-ve-always-tried-to-tell-myself-that-the-work-itself-is-the-thing/) [Julius Erving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julius-erving/) > [When I went to Philadelphia I was 26 years old and really sitting on top of the world. Family life, a professional career, plenty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julius-erving/when-i-went-to-philadelphia-i-was-26-years-old-and-really-sitting-on/) [Julius Erving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julius-erving/) > [If you don't do what's best for your body, you're the one who comes up on the short end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julius-erving/if-you-don-t-do-what-s-best-for-your-body-you-re-the-one-who-comes-up/) [Julius Erving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julius-erving/) > [I always try to keep a pretty conservative demeanor on the court.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julius-erving/i-always-try-to-keep-a-pretty-conservative-demeanor-on-the-court/) [Julius Erving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julius-erving/) > [If you get depressed about being the second-best team in the world, then you've got a problem.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julius-erving/if-you-get-depressed-about-being-the-second-best-team-in-the-world/) [Julius Erving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julius-erving/) [Explore all 67 Julius Erving quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julius-erving/) ## More Balance quotes > [Balance suggests a perfect equilibrium. There is no such thing. That is a false expectation… There are going to be priorities and dimensions of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denise-morrison/balance-suggests-a-perfect-equilibrium-there-is-no-such-thing-that-is/) [Denise Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denise-morrison/) > [The bones of my architecture are very much related to the structure, to the physical fact of how a building can stand up; it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/santiago-calatrava/the-bones-of-my-architecture-are-very-much-related-to-the-structure/) [Santiago Calatrava](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/santiago-calatrava/) > [I can still function when I don't have that balance I crave. I had a tendency to be precious about acting, thinking of it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-regan/i-can-still-function-when-i-don-t-have-that-balance-i-crave-i-had-a/) [Laura Regan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-regan/) > [she got a reputation for an easy smile and a sharp tongue, and using one to balance the other, she seemed friendly but distant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-allison/she-got-a-reputation-for-an-easy-smile-and-a-sharp-tongue-and-using/) [Dorothy Allison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-allison/) > [Life's unfairness is not irrevocable; we can help balance the scales for others, if not always for ourselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hubert-h-humphrey/life-s-unfairness-is-not-irrevocable-we-can-help-balance-the-scales/) [Hubert H. Humphrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hubert-h-humphrey/) > [“We don't need to strive towards balance, we rather need to work on the obstacles that are preventing the natural flow of balance.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-a-alebraheem/we-don-t-need-to-strive-towards-balance-we-rather-need-to-work-on-the/) [A.A. Alebraheem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-a-alebraheem/) > [I think that kind of balance comes with the process of growing together as a band, the Little Dragon. We love to write, we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yukimi-nagano/i-think-that-kind-of-balance-comes-with-the-process-of-growing/) [Yukimi Nagano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yukimi-nagano/) > [Balance is the ability to be happy in the midst of the most chaotic or even boring or transient circumstance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/balance-is-the-ability-to-be-happy-in-the-midst-of-the-most-chaotic/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [At times of recession, running a budget deficit is highly desirable. Once the economy begins to recover, you have to balance the budget. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-soros/at-times-of-recession-running-a-budget-deficit-is-highly-desirable/) [George Soros](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-soros/) > [It's my intention to make something stand outside the realm of album art, but it also feels comfortable to me to be in it.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dyer-baizley/it-s-my-intention-to-make-something-stand-outside-the-realm-of-album/) [John Dyer Baizley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dyer-baizley/) > [Once you've gotten your money in balance, you know how much you have to spend on things that are just fun.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-warren/once-you-ve-gotten-your-money-in-balance-you-know-how-much-you-have/) [Elizabeth Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-warren/) > [I never understood how much running changes your life. I'm now obsessed. When not trying to beat my personal best, I'm talking to other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sadiq-khan/i-never-understood-how-much-running-changes-your-life-i-m-now/) [Sadiq Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sadiq-khan/) > [Whatever needed to be done, I need to know how to do it just as well as my wife. You know, for us to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-isbell/whatever-needed-to-be-done-i-need-to-know-how-to-do-it-just-as-well/) [Jason Isbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-isbell/) > [I don't think my parents would have let me go straight into acting full time when I was 12. I do like to have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felicity-jones/i-don-t-think-my-parents-would-have-let-me-go-straight-into-acting/) [Felicity Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felicity-jones/) > [When it comes down to music, I have no balance. I am 100 percent. It is like full throttle. Five hundred miles an hour.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yanni/when-it-comes-down-to-music-i-have-no-balance-i-am-100-percent-it-is/) [Yanni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yanni/) [Browse all 5,166 Balance quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/balance/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When I played, the owners had the power. The prisoners are running the prison now, not the warden. The warden is strong and he has say so but, the balance of power is definitely with the players.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Julius Erving" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julius-erving/when-i-played-the-owners-had-the-power-the-prisoners-are-running-the/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Balance" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julius-erving/when-i-played-the-owners-had-the-power-the-prisoners-are-running-the/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/200/julius-erving-10131_balance_when-i-played-the-owners-had-the-power-t_772398.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/200/julius-erving-10131_balance_when-i-played-the-owners-had-the-power-t_772398.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/200/julius-erving-10131_balance_when-i-played-the-owners-had-the-power-t_772398.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“When I played, the owners had the power. The prisoners are running the prison now, not the warden. The…” — Julius Erving", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Julius Erving", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julius-erving/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "When I played, the owners had...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julius-erving/when-i-played-the-owners-had-the-power-the-prisoners-are-running-the/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julius-erving/when-i-played-the-owners-had-the-power-the-prisoners-are-running-the/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```