Authority Quote by Sharon Lee
““Authority is a strange concept. It begins with assumptions and ends with denials. The bigger the Authority, the more power it assumes, and the less likely it is to be reasonable, kind, or flexible. The bigger it is the more likely it is to deny new thoughts, new opinions, or its own limits. Question Authority. Do it carefully, but do it!" W. D. Faro II—to the Military Debating Society's Annual Field Picnic and Survival Contest THE NORTHWEST STAR HAD viewports—lots of them.””
About This Quote
Source Speech: Military Debating Society Annual Field Picnic and Survival Contest, date unknown
Authority grows from unexamined assumptions and tends to suppress dissent and flexibility, demanding cautious questioning.
In simple terms: Power often silences new ideas.
Key Takeaway
Question authority wisely.
Themes
power
authority
critical thinking
flexibility
responsibility
Mood
critical
thoughtful
Type
advisory
philosophical
When to use this quote
- organizational leadership
- public policy
- personal relationships
- activism
- education
Key Concepts
social dynamics
hierarchy
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance respect and scrutiny of authority?
- When is questioning authority essential?
A Different Perspective
Authority can be necessary for order; blind challenge may cause instability.
![“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)