Qualis dominus, talis et servus.
(Petronius, Satyricon 58)

Whatever kind of master (you see), that is the kind of slave (you have).

(pron = KWAH-lis DOH-mih-noos TAH-lis eht SER-woos)

Comment: This statement comes out of a culture hierarchically structured, and
one, obviously, where the institution of slavery was common and accepted.

Transfer the idea to any of our hierarchical structures and try it on for size:

Whatever kind of employer, that is the kind of employee.
Whatever kind of church leader, that is the kind of church member.
Whatever kind of parent, that is the kind of child.
Whatever kind of teacher, that is the kind of student.
Whatever kind of political leader, that is the kind of community.

There is some truth to this statement, especially in relationships where
hierarchy plays a significant role, because the person at the top has a great
deal of power to shape ad control the structure of things. As he/she controls,
the choices that those under him/her have become fewer, and their development is
constrained to the structures that the hierarch allows.

But the statement is also false. There is a uniqueness in each human being that
often enough rises above the constraints that are placed on him/her. It
manifests, and demonstrates itself. If caught in a hierarchical structure,
those persons are often seen as heroes or persons of great fortitude and
courage. Despite the constraints, they find their way.