Official Quote by Mikhail Bulgakov
““Eh, Nikanor Ivanovich!' the unknown man exclaimed soulfully. 'What are official and unofficial persons? It all depends on your point of view on the subject. It's all fluctuating and relative, Nikanor Ivanovich. Today I'm a unofficial person, and tomorrow, lo and behold, I'm an official one! And it happens the other way round -oh, how it does!" - Chapter 9””
About This Quote
Source Novel: “The Master and Margarita”, Chapter 9, 1967
Highlights the fluidity of official status, showing how roles shift with perspective and circumstance.
In simple terms: Official status is relative.
Key Takeaway
Question authority’s fluidity.
Themes
power
relativity
identity
Mood
skeptical
philosophical
Type
literary
reflective
When to use this quote
- bureaucracy
- career changes
- social movements
Key Concepts
Social hierarchy
political roles
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you define legitimacy?
- What changes perception of authority?
A Different Perspective
May cause instability.
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![“The general will be joining us, shortly.” [..] A Revision officer dropping the brother in front of a rank was the most threatening thing Sergei had heard in a long time. He stared at Nikishin, tried to read his features, but that was entirely impossible. Never before had Nikishin appeared more the…” quote by Aleksandr Voinov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/afc/aleksandr-voinov-2845_arm-of-the-law_the-general-will-be-joining-us-shortly-a_2614768.jpg)
