Authority Quote by Patrick O'Brian
“I am opposed to authority, that egg of misery and oppression; I am opposed to it largely for what it does to those who exercise it.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: Master and Commander, 1969
Critiques authority as a source of suffering, especially for those subjected to it, urging vigilance against oppressive power.
In simple terms: Authority can cause oppression and harm.
Key Takeaway
Question and challenge power structures.
Themes
authority
oppression
freedom
justice
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- workplace hierarchy
- government policy
- personal relationships
Key Concepts
political theory
ethical critique
Questions to Reflect On
- When is authority justified?
- How can we balance control and liberty?
A Different Perspective
Authority can also provide order and safety.
![“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)