The only safe and honorable course for a self-respecting…
“The only safe and honorable course for a self-respecting man is to do what I have decided to do, that is, to submit without protest to the penalty of disobedience ... not for want of respect for lawful authority, but in obedience to the higher law of our being, the voice of conscience.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
He argues that obeying a higher moral law outweighs following unjust authority
In simple terms: Conscience guides actions over legal commands
Key Takeaway
Follow conscience over unjust laws
Themes
civil disobedience
conscience
law
Mood
serious
motivational
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- protest movements
- whistleblowing
- personal decisions
Key Concepts
Political philosophy
nonviolent resistance
Questions to Reflect On
- When should one obey the law?
- What higher law guides your choices?
A Different Perspective
Legal consequences can be severe and risky