---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The great majority of people have a…"
description: "\"The great majority of people have a strong need for authority which they can admire, to which they can submit, and which dominates and sometimes even i..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/600/sigmund-freud-360_admire_the-great-majority-of-people-have-a-stro_263987.jpg"
---

#  The great majority of people have a strong need for…

![“The great majority of people have a strong need for authority which they can admire, to which they can submit, and which dominates and sometimes even ill-treats them.” quote by Sigmund Freud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/600/sigmund-freud-360_admire_the-great-majority-of-people-have-a-stro_263987.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/600/sigmund-freud-360_admire_the-great-majority-of-people-have-a-stro_263987.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/600/sigmund-freud-360_admire_the-great-majority-of-people-have-a-stro_263987.jpg)

> “The great majority of people have a strong need for authority which they can admire, to which they can submit, and which dominates and sometimes even ill-treats them.”

[Sigmund Freud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sigmund-freud/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

People often seek authority to admire, submit to, and sometimes be mistreated by.

**In simple terms:** Humans desire and obey authority, which can be harmful.

Key Takeaway

Question authority structures.

Themes

psychology authority human behavior

Mood

critical analytical concerned

Type

philosophical psychological

When to use this quote

- workplace hierarchy
- political leadership
- family dynamics
- education systems
- religious institutions

Key Concepts

Freud's theory social dynamics power relations

Questions to Reflect On

- When does authority become oppressive?
- How can healthy authority be fostered?

A Different Perspective

Authority can also empower and protect.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Authority](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/authority/) [Ill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ill/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/power/)

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