July 2nd, 2000.
"Authority."
"The general story of mankind will evince that lawful and settled authority is very seldom resisted when it is well employed." (Samuel Johnson (1709-1784), "The Rambler," September 8th, 1750.)
"The power of authority is never more subtle and effective than when it produces a psychological 'atmosphere' or 'climate' favorable to the life of certain modes of belief, unfavorable, and even, fatal, to the life of others." (Arthur James Balfour (1848-1930), The Foundations of Belief, 1895.)
"Authority intoxicates,
And makes mere soughts of magistrates;
The fumes of it invade the brain,
And make men giddy, proud and vain:
By this the fool commands the wise,
The noble with the base complies,
The sot assumes the rule of wit,
And cowards make the brave submit."
Butler: Misc. Thoughts.