Acknowledgment Quote by Walter Lippmann

Moral authority is never retained by any attempt to hold on to it. It comes without seeking and is retained without effort.

— Mahatma Gandhi

No moral system can rest solely on authority.

— A.J. Ayer

Moral authority comes from following universal and timeless principles like honesty, integrity, treating people with respect.

— Stephen Covey

“Moral authority is earned, not given. This is why formal authorities are threatened by moral authorities without position.”

— Richie Norton

We do not just blindly concede control to authorities; instead we follow the cues provided by our moral communities on how best to behave.

— Michael Shermer

No morality can be founded on authority, even if the authority were divine.

— A.J. Ayer

Normative ethics, pursued as a free, systematic, and critical attempt to find moral truth, regardless of religious and other authorities, is a rather new…

— Torbjorn Tannsjo

The following of authority is the denial of intelligence. [It] may help us temporarily to cover up our difficulties and problems; but to avoid…

— Anonymous

The disappearance of a sense of responsibility is the most far-reaching consequence of submission to authority.

— Stanley Milgram

To me, authority is something that a freer spirit, a more independent mind, and a person who can handle the world, doesn't need guidance…

— George Carlin

Have no respect for the authority of others, for there are always contrary authorities to be found

— Bertrand Russell

“Authority in the world is being increasingly undermined until at the end all authorities will be overthrown and lawlessness shall rule.”

— Watchman Nee