Skip to content

I honestly do not know if civil disobedience has any…

“I honestly do not know if civil disobedience has any effect on the government. I can promise you it has a great effect on the person who chooses to do it. Martin Sheen The burning of rebellious thoughts in the little breast, of internal hatred and opposition, could not long go on without slight…” quote by Harriet Beecher Stowe
Download Open image
“I honestly do not know if civil disobedience has any effect on the government. I can promise you it has a great effect on the person who chooses to do it. Martin Sheen The burning of rebellious thoughts in the little breast, of internal hatred and opposition, could not long go on without slight whiffs of external smoke, such as mark the course of subterranean fire.”

Harriet Beecher Stowe

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Civil disobedience harms the protester more than the government, shaping character and conscience.

In simple terms: Protesting changes the protester.

Key Takeaway

Consider personal cost of protest.

Themes

activism conscience risk

Mood

determined reflective serious

Type

political ethical

When to use this quote

  • protests
  • whistleblowing
  • political activism
  • personal moral decisions

Key Concepts

civil disobedience personal transformation political ethics

Questions to Reflect On

  • What motivates you to protest?
  • How do you cope with personal fallout?
A Different Perspective

Effectiveness on policy is uncertain.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by Harriet Beecher Stowe

Explore all 280 Harriet Beecher Stowe quotes

More Breasts quotes

Browse all 1,224 Breasts quotes