--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Even if only 2 percent of those assigned…" description: "\"Even if only 2 percent of those assigned to perform military service should announce their refusal to fight, governments would be powerless, they would..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4f5/albert-einstein-33_dare_even-if-only-2-percent-of-those-assigned_2242133.jpg" --- # Even if only 2 percent of those assigned to perform… ![“Even if only 2 percent of those assigned to perform military service should announce their refusal to fight, governments would be powerless, they would not dare send such a large number of people to jail.” quote by Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4f5/albert-einstein-33_dare_even-if-only-2-percent-of-those-assigned_2242133.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4f5/albert-einstein-33_dare_even-if-only-2-percent-of-those-assigned_2242133.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4f5/albert-einstein-33_dare_even-if-only-2-percent-of-those-assigned_2242133.jpg) > “Even if only 2 percent of those assigned to perform military service should announce their refusal to fight, governments would be powerless, they would not dare send such a large number of people to jail.” [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. If a small minority refuses military service, governments would be unable to imprison many, limiting their power to enforce conscription. **In simple terms:** A tiny refusal could cripple a government’s ability to enforce war. Key Takeaway Consider civil disobedience as a powerful deterrent. Themes civil disobedience power government military ethics Mood thoughtful concerned Type argument hypothetical When to use this quote - draft protests - peace movements - policy debates Key Concepts political theory nonviolent resistance collective action Questions to Reflect On - What conditions make large‑scale refusal feasible? - How does public opinion affect governmental response? A Different Perspective Mass refusal may be unrealistic without widespread support. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Announce Refusal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/announce-refusal-5088327/) [Dare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dare/) [Fight Governments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fight-governments-5088326/) [Fighting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fighting/) [Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government/) [Governments Powerless](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/governments-powerless-5088325/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Jail](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jail/) [Large numbers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/large-numbers/) [Military](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/military/) [Military service](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/military-service/) [Numbers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/numbers/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Percent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/percent/) [Powerless](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/powerless/) [Refusal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/refusal/) [Refusal Fight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/refusal-fight-4604789/) [Should](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/should/) [Would be](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/would-be/) ## Related quotes > [The only thing stopping you from reaching your goals is your refusal to FIGHT. 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Stay in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adyashanti/this-moment-in-which-you-experience-stillness-is-every-moment-don-t/) [Adyashanti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adyashanti/) > [Never can true courage dwell with them, Who, playing tricks with conscience, dare not look At their own vices.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-taylor-coleridge/never-can-true-courage-dwell-with-them-who-playing-tricks-with/) [Samuel Taylor Coleridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-taylor-coleridge/) > [I tend to get reactions just by being on screen, because I guess I'm physically queer-coded or something. 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