Dominion Quote by Toni Morrison
““One chance, I thought. There is no protection but there is difference. You stood there in those shoes and the tall man laughed and said he would take me to close the debt. I knew Senhor would not allow it. I said you. Take you, my daughter. Because I saw the tall man see you as a human child, not pieces of eight. I knelt before him. Hoping for a miracle. He said yes. It was not a miracle. Bestowed by God. It was a mercy. Offered by a human. I stayed on my knees. In the dust where my heart will remain each night and every day until you understand what I know and long to tell you: to be given dominion over another is a hard thing, to wrest dominion over another is a wrong thing; to give dominion of yourself to another is a wicked thing.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Unknown (likely a short story)
Dominion over others is morally fraught; true mercy comes from humility and recognizing shared humanity.
In simple terms: Power over people is wrong; humility is mercy.
Key Takeaway
Seek humility and respect in interactions.
Themes
power
morality
humility
justice
humanity
Mood
thoughtful
serious
Type
ethical
reflective
When to use this quote
- community work
- conflict mediation
- parenting
- social activism
Key Concepts
ethical leadership
moral philosophy
spiritual redemption
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we practice humility in positions of authority?
- What does “dominion” mean in modern contexts?
A Different Perspective
Power dynamics can be complex; intentions may not align with outcomes.
![“The thing that was forfeited in the garden was regained. God gave him [Adam] dominion over the works of His hand. God made him His understudy, His king to rule over everything that had life. Man was master, man lived in the realm of god. He lived on terms of equality with God. God was a faith God…” quote by John G. Lake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/428/john-g-lake-12667_adam_the-thing-that-was-forfeited-in-the-gard_84356.jpg)
![“It may be said of them [the Hollanders], as of the Spaniards, that the sun never sets upon their Dominions.” quote by Thomas Gage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/e12/thomas-gage-63372_dominion_it-may-be-said-of-them-the-hollanders-as_103053.jpg)