Authority without wisdom is like a heavy axe without an edge, fitter to bruise than polish.

Anne Bradstreet

More information about this quote

Topic

Exercise of power Illegitimate authority Lack of wisdom Wisdom

Author

Anne Bradstreet

Source

Meditations Divine and Moral

Medium

Poem

Language

English

Time

1867 1860s 19th century

Occupation

Poet Writer

From

United Kingdom Europe

Authentication Score 1

Original Citation

Bradstreet, Anne. Meditations Divine and Moral. c. 1664, st. 12.

Current Citation

Bradstreet, Anne. "Meditations Divine and Moral." The Works of Anne Bradstreet. Harvard University Press, 1967, st. 12.

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A quote by Anne Bradstreet about exercise of power: “Authority without wisdom is like a heavy axe without an edge…”
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Related Quotes

Below are one or more quotes that share at least one tag with the quote at the top of the page

Another quote from the 1860s

Though my soul may set in darkness, it will rise in perfect light;
I have loved the stars too truly to be fearful of the night.

Sarah Williams

The Old Astronomer

More information about this quote
Topic
Fear of death Death

Author

Sarah Williams
Source
The Old Astronomer
Medium
Poem
Language
English
Time
1868 1860s 19th century
Authentication Score 3
Citation

Williams, Sarah. "The Old Astronomer." Twilight Hours: A Legacy of Verse. Strahan and Co., 1868, I. 15.

Another quote about Wisdom

The road of excess leads to the palace of wisdom.

William Blake

The Marriage of Heaven and Hell

Buy a book containing this poem at Amazon Buy a book containing this poem at Amazon
Read The Marriage of Heaven and Hell at Project Gutenberg
More information about this quote
Topic
Learning from mistakes Mistakes Excess Wisdom

Author

William Blake
Source
The Marriage of Heaven and Hell
Medium
Poem
Genre
Philosophical literature
Statement Type
Proverbs, aphorisms and adages Paradox
Language
English
Time
1793 1790s 18th century
Authentication Score 2
Original Citation

Blake, William. "The Argument." The Marriage of Heaven and Hell. c. 1790.

Current Citation

Blake, William. "The Marriage of Heaven and Hell." The Complete Poetry and Prose of William Blake, edited by David V. Erdman. University of California Press, 2008.

Another quote from 1867

We must march my darlings, we must bear the brunt of danger,
We the youthful sinewy races, all the rest on us depend,
Pioneers! O pioneers!

Walt Whitman

Pioneers! O Pioneers!

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Read Pioneers! O Pioneers! at Project Gutenberg
More information about this quote
Topic
Progress

Author

Walt Whitman
Source
Pioneers! O Pioneers! Leaves of Grass
Medium
Poem
Language
English
Time
1867 1860s 19th century
Authentication Score 3
Citation

Whitman, Walt. "Pioneers! O Pioneers!" Leaves of Grass. New York: Self-published, 1867, st. 2. Originally published in Drum-Taps. New York: Peter Eckler, 1865, st. 2.