Anthony Trollope Quotes

Should we have a leader or should we think for ourselves? Obviously the latter in principle. But-sometimes there lies a gulf between what is theoretically right and that which is practical.

If no one among us is capable of governing himself, then who among us has the capcity to govern someone else.

For there are very few so foolish who would not rather govern themselves than be governed by others.

Those who will not govern themselves are condemned to find masters to govern over them.

Freedom is the will to be responsible for ourselves.

I'm very much in favor of focused responsibility, and so in the main areas that I'm worried about, I try to have a single person who is basically the key person in that area.

When I entered Mexico (City) my own will was the law; I commanded the public force...and who compelled me to divide the powers? Myself, and myself alone, because I thought it was right.

We will not be dictated to by men with less intelligence, energy, initiative and ambition than we ourselves possess.

Liberty is the right to discipline ourselves in order not to be disciplined by others

All authority of any kind, especially in the field of thought and understanding, is the most destructive, evil thing. Leaders destroy the followers and followers destroy the leaders. You have to be your own teacher and your own disciple. You have to question everything that man has accepted as valuable, as necessary.

I don't know how to run your life. I don't know how to run your life. I don't have the authority to run your life. And the Constitution doesn't permit me to run your life.

I believe very firmly in the principle of free agency - people making their own decisions and doing what they think is right.

I believe we've been given free will, and we can take responsibility for our own lives and for creating our own environments - which I think at times can be a little much for people to deal with.

No man must encroach upon my province, nor I upon his. He may advise me, moderately and without pertinaciousness, but he must not expect to dictate to me. He may censure me freely and without reserve; but he should remember that I am to act by my deliberation and not his. I ought to exercise my talents for the benefit of others; but that exercise must be the fruit of my own conviction; no man must attempt to press me into the service.

It is placing the Executive and the Movement in an absolutely wrong position to be taking your conscience round from body to body asking to be told what you ought to do with it.

Never had I understood that I command, with absolute authority, the ship of my life! I decide its mission and rules and discipline, at my word waits every tool and sail, every cannon, the strength of every soul on board. I'm master of a team of passionate skills to sail me through hell's own jaws the second I nod the direction to steer.

It is easier to find people fit to govern themselves than people fit to govern others.

You cannot live your life to please others. The choice must be yours.

Our whole evolution has reached a stage where nearly every man is either ruler or ruled; sometimes he is both. By this the attitude of dependence has been greatly strengthened, for a truly free man does not like to play the part of either the ruler or the ruled. He is, above all, concerned with making his inner values and personal powers effective in a way as to permit him to use his own judgment in all affairs and to be independent in action.

Would you have a great empire? Rule over yourself.

Never delegate. Always empower.

No one believes more firmly than Comrade Napoleon that all animals are equal. He would be only too happy to let you make your decisions for yourselves. But sometimes you might make the wrong decisions, comrades, and then where should we be?

Everyone has the right to make his own decisions, but none has the right to force his decision on others.

Government cannot be your parent.