The small man in the same circumstances loses his self-command."
Harriet behaved extremely well on the occasion, with great self-command.
It tended to destroy the power of self-command, and exposed the master to the baneful influences of flattery.
No one ever excelled him in daring and resource as a naval officer, but he suffered from serious defects of character, and even those who think him guiltless of the charge on which he was convicted in 1814 must feel that he had his own imprudence and want of self-command to thank for many of his misfortunes.
Expression not of a man exercising authority in perfect self-command, but of raving excitement.