Usurpation

"Power acquired by violence is only a usurpation, and lasts only as long as the force of him who commands prevails over those who obey." ~ Denis Diderot

That's your bit of French philosophy for the day.  Not what you were expecting was it?

Brown Eyed Man says something like this quite often but it's more like "Don't give others the power to control your feelings." He also has these other endearing sayings:

"You are the sum total of the decisions you make."  The kids have been told that from the time they could understand him.  I've heard them say it to other people.  It came up a lot when the Egg Donor went to the pokey.

"That would knock a buzzard off a gut-wagon."  In reference to an unpleasant smell.

"He was running hell-bent for election."  In reference to someone going very fast in a car, on foot, etc.

"Dad-gum it!"  Swear words

j