Authority Quote by Robert Creeley
“Don't name it, as they say, because instantly you offer it to this peculiar authority.”
About This Quote
Avoid naming something because doing so grants it power from a particular authority.
In simple terms: Naming gives power to authority.
Key Takeaway
Be cautious with labels that empower control.
Themes
power
language
authority
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- political discourse
- personal relationships
- media framing
- legal contexts
Key Concepts
speech act theory
social control
Questions to Reflect On
- When does naming empower rather than restrict?
- How can you reclaim naming?
A Different Perspective
Names can also protect and clarify; context matters.
![“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)