Man is the only animal which esteems itself rich in proportion to the number and voracity of its parasites.
—George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950) Irish Playwright
The relation of master and servant is advantageous only to masters who do not scruple to abuse their authority, and to servants who do not scruple to abuse their trust.
—George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950) Irish Playwright
One of the most considerable advantages the great have over their inferiors is to have servants as good as themselves.
—Miguel de Cervantes (1547–1616) Spanish Novelist
Men in great place are thrice servants; servants of the sovereign or state, servants of fame, and servants of business; so that they have no freedom, neither in their persons, in their actions, nor in their times.—It is a strange desire to seek power over others, and to lose power over a man’s self.
—Francis Bacon (1561–1626) English Philosopher
Be not served with kinsmen, or friends, or men entreated to stay; for they expect much, and do little; nor with such as are amorous, for their heads are intoxicated; and keep rather too few, than one too many.
—William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley (1521–98) English Political leader