In the military I could exercise the power of being automatically respected because of the medals on my chest not because I had done anything right at the moment to earn that respect. This is pretty nice. It's also a psychological trap that can stop one's growth and allow one to get away with just plain bad behavior.
I tread in the footsteps of illustrious men... in receiving from the people the sacred trust confided to my illustrious predecessor.
On receiving from the people the sacred trust twice confided on my illustrious predecessor and which he has discharged so faithfully and so well I know that I can not expect to perform the arduous task with equal ability and success.