Authority has every reason to fear the skeptic, for authority can rarely survive in the face of doubt.

The remark frames skepticism as a political and intellectual force: doubt is not merely a private attitude but a solvent that can weaken institutions built on deference, tradition, or unquestioned legitimacy. “Authority” here implies any power—state, church, social convention, or cultural gatekeeping—that depends on compliance rather than persuasion. The skeptic threatens such power by asking for reasons, evidence, and accountability; once people recognize that authority’s claims are contingent or self-serving, its aura of inevitability fades. The quote also hints at a paradox: authority that truly merits respect should not fear scrutiny, whereas authority that fears doubt may be revealing its fragility.