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To be right is more honorable than to be law abiding.

“To be right is more honorable than to be law abiding.” quote by Henry David Thoreau
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“To be right is more honorable than to be law abiding.”

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.

Moral integrity is valued over mere legal compliance; ethical duty outweighs lawfulness.

In simple terms: Being right > being law abiding.

Key Takeaway

Prioritize conscience over conformity.

Themes

ethics law conscience civil disobedience

Mood

thoughtful serious

Type

philosophical political

When to use this quote

  • activism
  • whistleblowing
  • personal decisions

Key Concepts

moral philosophy civil responsibility

Questions to Reflect On

  • When should one obey an unjust law?
  • What are the costs of moral defiance?
A Different Perspective

Legal consequences can be severe; not all laws are unjust.

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