"Any non-commissioned officer is more of an enemy to a recruit, any schoolmaster to a pupil, then they are if they were free"

This quote by Erich Maria Remarque speaks to the power dynamics in between those in authority and those they are responsible for. It recommends that when somebody is in a position of power, they can end up being more of an opponent to those they are accountable for than if they were not in a position of power. This is due to the fact that those in power can use their authority to control and control those they are accountable for. This quote implies that those in power can end up being overbearing and can use their authority to make life difficult for those they are responsible for. This quote speaks to the importance of those in power using their authority responsibly and not abusing it. It also speaks to the value of those in power bearing in mind the power characteristics in between them and those they are accountable for.