Authority Quote by Masha Gessen

Nothing destroys authority more than the unequal and untimely interchange of power stretched too far and relaxed too much.

— Anonymous

“Moral authority is earned, not given. This is why formal authorities are threatened by moral authorities without position.”

— Richie Norton

Moral authority is never retained by any attempt to hold on to it. It comes without seeking and is retained without effort.

— Mahatma Gandhi

No moral system can rest solely on authority.

— A.J. Ayer

Power lacks moral or principles. It only has interests.

— Anonymous

A low morality will not sustain leadership long, its influence quickly vanishes, it cannot produce its own succession.

— Chester Barnard

All authority is quite degrading. It degrades those who exercise it, and it degrades those over whom it is exercised.

— Oscar Wilde

Because power corrupts, society's demands for moral authority and character increase as the importance of the position increases.

— John Adams

Nothing is more powerful than individuals acting out of their own conscience.

— Vaclav Havel

Power without authority is tyranny.

— Jacques Maritain

All too often arrogance accompanies strength, and we must never assume that justice is on the side of the strong. The use of power…

— Theodore Bikel

Authority is quite degrading.

— Oscar Wilde