Skip to content

I wish my countrymen to consider that whatever the human…

“I wish my countrymen to consider that whatever the human law may be, neither an individual nor a nation can ever commit the leastact of injustice against the obscurest individual without having to pay the penalty for it. A government which deliberately enacts injustice, and persists in it, will at…” quote by Henry David Thoreau
Download Open image
“I wish my countrymen to consider that whatever the human law may be, neither an individual nor a nation can ever commit the leastact of injustice against the obscurest individual without having to pay the penalty for it. A government which deliberately enacts injustice, and persists in it, will at length even become the laughing-stock of the world.”

Henry David Thoreau

About This Quote

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

Unjust laws and governments incur moral debt, leading to eventual global ridicule.

In simple terms: Injustice brings consequences; governments suffer ridicule.

Key Takeaway

Uphold justice, challenge oppression.

Themes

justice government morality consequences

Mood

reflective serious

Type

ethical political

When to use this quote

  • political activism
  • legal reform
  • public protest
  • international diplomacy

Key Concepts

civil disobedience ethical accountability

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do we hold powerful entities accountable?
  • What role does public opinion play in correcting injustice?
A Different Perspective

Even just societies can overlook subtle injustices.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by Henry David Thoreau

Explore all 3,376 Henry David Thoreau quotes

More Commit quotes

Browse all 1,824 Commit quotes