Quote by Herman Kahn
Authority is not power; that's coercion. Authority is not knowledge; that's persuasion, or seduction. Authority is simply that the author has the right to make a statement and to be heard.
Summary
This quote highlights the distinction between authority and other forms of influence. It argues that authority should not be equated with power, which relies on force, or with knowledge, which relies on persuasion. Instead, authority is rooted in the author's entitlement to express themselves and have their words acknowledged. It emphasizes that authority is about having the rightful position to make a statement and be heard, regardless of the means used to convince or command others.
Topics
Power
By Herman Kahn