--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The kingly office is entitled to no…" description: "\"The kingly office is entitled to no respect. It was originally procured by the highwayman's methods. It remains a perpetuated crime, can never be anyth..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eb9/mark-twain-22_crime_the-kingly-office-is-entitled-to-no-resp_31255.jpg" --- # The kingly office is entitled to no respect. It was… ![“The kingly office is entitled to no respect. It was originally procured by the highwayman's methods. It remains a perpetuated crime, can never be anything but the symbol of a crime. It is no more entitled to respect than is the flag of a pirate.” quote by Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eb9/mark-twain-22_crime_the-kingly-office-is-entitled-to-no-resp_31255.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eb9/mark-twain-22_crime_the-kingly-office-is-entitled-to-no-resp_31255.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eb9/mark-twain-22_crime_the-kingly-office-is-entitled-to-no-resp_31255.jpg) > “The kingly office is entitled to no respect. It was originally procured by the highwayman's methods. It remains a perpetuated crime, can never be anything but the symbol of a crime. It is no more entitled to respect than is the flag of a pirate.” [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote argues that political authority, like a pirate flag, is founded on coercion and theft, not inherent legitimacy. **In simple terms:** Authority is a crime symbol. Key Takeaway Power lacks moral right. Themes political legitimacy authority critique historical metaphor power and crime social contract Mood skeptical cynical provocative Type aphorism political commentary When to use this quote - discussing governance - analyzing revolutions - teaching political theory - debating legal foundations - examining historical power Key Concepts state authority coercion symbolism piracy Practical Applications - critical essays - lecture content Questions to Reflect On - What makes authority legitimate? - Can power ever be morally justified? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Crime](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/crime/) [Flags](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/flags/) [Highwaymen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/highwaymen/) [No respect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/no-respect/) [Office](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/office/) [Pirate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pirate/) [Respect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/respect/) [Symbols](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/symbols/) ## Related quotes > [Genius is entitled to respect only when it promotes the peace and improves the happiness of mankind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-essex/genius-is-entitled-to-respect-only-when-it-promotes-the-peace-and/) Lord Essex > [“They’re certainly entitled to think that, and they’re entitled to full respect for their opinions,” said Atticus, “but before I can live with other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/they-re-certainly-entitled-to-think-that-and-they-re-entitled-to-full/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“woman who takes cards in a man’s game holds the status of a man and is entitled to no more respect.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-l-amour/woman-who-takes-cards-in-a-man-s-game-holds-the-status-of-a-man-and/) [Louis L'Amour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-l-amour/) > [“They're certainly entitled to think that, and they're entitled to full respect for their opinions... but before I can live with other folks I've…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harper-lee/they-re-certainly-entitled-to-think-that-and-they-re-entitled-to-full-2/) [Harper Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harper-lee/) > [One's nativity is not of his own choosing, but whatever it may be, it is entitled to respect; and all nations have honorable place…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-harris/one-s-nativity-is-not-of-his-own-choosing-but-whatever-it-may-be-it/) [Paul Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-harris/) > [It is obviously good and proper to respect the U.S. flag, perpetuated with the blood of American heroes. 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