--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The man who submits to violence is…" description: "\"The man who submits to violence is debased by his compliance; but when he submits to that right of authority which he acknowledges in a fellow creature..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/20b/alexis-de-tocqueville-625_acknowledge_the-man-who-submits-to-violence-is-debas_365097.png" --- # The man who submits to violence is debased by his… ![“The man who submits to violence is debased by his compliance; but when he submits to that right of authority which he acknowledges in a fellow creature, he rises in some measure above the person who give the command.” quote by Alexis de Tocqueville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/20b/alexis-de-tocqueville-625_acknowledge_the-man-who-submits-to-violence-is-debas_365097.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/20b/alexis-de-tocqueville-625_acknowledge_the-man-who-submits-to-violence-is-debas_365097.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/20b/alexis-de-tocqueville-625_acknowledge_the-man-who-submits-to-violence-is-debas_365097.png) > “The man who submits to violence is debased by his compliance; but when he submits to that right of authority which he acknowledges in a fellow creature, he rises in some measure above the person who give the command.” [Alexis de Tocqueville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexis-de-tocqueville/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Submitting to unjust violence degrades one, while acknowledging rightful authority in others elevates them above the command giver. **In simple terms:** Obeying violence lowers you; respecting rightful authority lifts you. Key Takeaway Uphold rightful authority, reject unjust violence. Themes authority violence ethics human dignity Mood analytical thoughtful Type philosophical ethical When to use this quote - leadership - civil rights - legal systems - personal conduct Key Concepts obedience moral agency social contract Questions to Reflect On - When is authority justified? - How to discern rightful authority? A Different Perspective Authority can be misused, complicating moral judgments. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Acknowledge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acknowledge/) [Authority](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/authority/) [Authority Acknowledges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/authority-acknowledges-3344286/) [Command](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/command/) [Compliance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compliance/) [Creatures](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/creatures/) [Crime](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/crime/) [Fellows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fellows/) [Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) [He man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/he-man/) [Man Submits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/man-submits-3344285/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Persons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/persons/) [Power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/power/) [Submit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/submit/) [Submits Violence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/submits-violence-3344284/) [Violence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/violence/) [Violence Debased](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/violence-debased-3344287/) ## Related quotes > [She had been bored all afternoon by Percy Gryce... but she could not ignore him on the morrow, she must follow up her success,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edith-wharton/she-had-been-bored-all-afternoon-by-percy-gryce-but-she-could-not/) [Edith Wharton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edith-wharton/) > [Of all nations, those submit to civilization with the most difficulty which habitually live by the chase.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexis-de-tocqueville/of-all-nations-those-submit-to-civilization-with-the-most-difficulty/) [Alexis de Tocqueville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexis-de-tocqueville/) > [To get the inestimable good that freedom of the press assures one must know how to submit to the inevitable evil it gives rise…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexis-de-tocqueville/to-get-the-inestimable-good-that-freedom-of-the-press-assures-one/) [Alexis de Tocqueville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexis-de-tocqueville/) > [As American taxpayers know too well, the tax code is incredibly complex and compliance is all to expensive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-ramstad/as-american-taxpayers-know-too-well-the-tax-code-is-incredibly/) [Jim Ramstad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-ramstad/) > [If we speak calmly, in a businesslike fashion, let me draw your attention to the fact that Russia supplies arms to the legitimate government…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-putin/if-we-speak-calmly-in-a-businesslike-fashion-let-me-draw-your/) [Vladimir Putin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-putin/) > [We are looking for targets that have a tremendous strategic fit for the company. 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