--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The greatest crimes in the world are not…" description: "\"“The greatest crimes in the world are not committed by people breaking the rules. It's people who follow orders that drop bombs and massacre villages. ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ad4/banksy-3076_breaking-the-rules_the-greatest-crimes-in-the-world-are-not_1191628.jpg" --- # The greatest crimes in the world are not committed by… ![“The greatest crimes in the world are not committed by people breaking the rules. It's people who follow orders that drop bombs and massacre villages. As a precaution to never committing major acts of evil it is our solemn duty never to do what we're told, this is the only way we can be sure.” quote by Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ad4/banksy-3076_breaking-the-rules_the-greatest-crimes-in-the-world-are-not_1191628.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ad4/banksy-3076_breaking-the-rules_the-greatest-crimes-in-the-world-are-not_1191628.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ad4/banksy-3076_breaking-the-rules_the-greatest-crimes-in-the-world-are-not_1191628.jpg) > ““The greatest crimes in the world are not committed by people breaking the rules. It's people who follow orders that drop bombs and massacre villages. As a precaution to never committing major acts of evil it is our solemn duty never to do what we're told, this is the only way we can be sure.”” [Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Blind obedience to authority causes massive harm; true morality requires questioning orders. **In simple terms:** Following orders can lead to atrocities. Key Takeaway Question authority and act ethically. Themes morality obedience violence Mood thoughtful serious Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - military service - corporate work - government policy - activism Key Concepts ethical responsibility civil disobedience power structures Questions to Reflect On - What orders have you questioned? - How do you balance duty with conscience? A Different Perspective Blind obedience can be socially reinforced. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Breaking the rules](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/breaking-the-rules/) [Crime](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/crime/) [Crimes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/crimes/) ## Related quotes > [The greatest crimes in the world are not committed by people breaking the rules but by people following the rules. It's people who follow…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/the-greatest-crimes-in-the-world-are-not-committed-by-people-breaking-2/) [Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/) > [“The greatest crimes in the world are not committed by people breaking the rules, but by people following the rules.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-greatest-crimes-in-the-world-are-not-committed-by-people-breaking/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“The greatest crimes in the world are not committed against the body, but against the freedom of the consciousness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-mcgill/the-greatest-crimes-in-the-world-are-not-committed-against-the-body/) [Bryant McGill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-mcgill/) > [There are actually times when there are crimes out there in the world and I find myself trying to figure it out and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-procter/there-are-actually-times-when-there-are-crimes-out-there-in-the-world/) [Emily Procter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-procter/) > [The crimes of the U.S. throughout the world have been systematic, constant, clinical, remorseless, and fully documented but nobody talks about them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-pinter/the-crimes-of-the-u-s-throughout-the-world-have-been-systematic/) [Harold Pinter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-pinter/) > [Piracy is robbery with violence, often segueing into murder, rape and kidnapping. It is one of the most frightening crimes in the world. Using…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-harkaway/piracy-is-robbery-with-violence-often-segueing-into-murder-rape-and/) [Nick Harkaway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-harkaway/) > [The desire to rule over others, the will to power, is one of the greatest crimes that man has committed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajneesh/the-desire-to-rule-over-others-the-will-to-power-is-one-of-the/) [Rajneesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajneesh/) > [The greatest crimes do not arise from a want of feeling for others but from an over-sensibility for ourselves and an over-indulgence to our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-greatest-crimes-do-not-arise-from-a-want-of-feeling-for-others/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The destruction of the past is perhaps the greatest of all crimes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simone-weil/the-destruction-of-the-past-is-perhaps-the-greatest-of-all-crimes/) [Simone Weil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simone-weil/) > [The greatest crimes are caused by surfeit, not by want.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristotle/the-greatest-crimes-are-caused-by-surfeit-not-by-want/) [Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/) > [“The greatest crimes are not those committed for the sake of necessity but those committed for the sake of superfluity. One does not become…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristotle/the-greatest-crimes-are-not-those-committed-for-the-sake-of-necessity/) [Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/) > [In the name of certainty, the greatest crimes have been committed against humanity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-fuentes/in-the-name-of-certainty-the-greatest-crimes-have-been-committed/) [Carlos Fuentes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-fuentes/) > [It is the greatest of crimes to depress true art and science.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-blake/it-is-the-greatest-of-crimes-to-depress-true-art-and-science/) [William Blake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-blake/) > [The greatest crimes are to associate another with God, to vex your father and mother, to murder your own species, to commit suicide, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muhammad/the-greatest-crimes-are-to-associate-another-with-god-to-vex-your/) [Muhammad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muhammad/) > [The greatest of all crimes are the wars that are carried on by governments, to plunder, enslave, and destroy mankind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lysander-spooner/the-greatest-of-all-crimes-are-the-wars-that-are-carried-on-by/) [Lysander Spooner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lysander-spooner/) ## More by Banksy > [A wall is a very big weapon. It's one of the nastiest things you can hit someone with.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/a-wall-is-a-very-big-weapon-it-s-one-of-the-nastiest-things-you-can/) [Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/) > [Some people criticize me for using sources that are a bit low brow (this quote is from 'Gladiator') but you know what? 'I'm just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/some-people-criticize-me-for-using-sources-that-are-a-bit-low-brow/) [Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/) > [There's nothing more dangerous than someone who wants to make the world a better place.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/there-s-nothing-more-dangerous-than-someone-who-wants-to-make-the/) [Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/) > [The grumpier you are, the more assholes you meet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/the-grumpier-you-are-the-more-assholes-you-meet/) [Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/) > [Today's art has been cancelled due to police activity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/today-s-art-has-been-cancelled-due-to-police-activity/) [Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/) > [Graffiti ultimately wins out over proper art because it becomes part of your city, it' s a tool; "I'll meet you in that pub,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/graffiti-ultimately-wins-out-over-proper-art-because-it-becomes-part/) [Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/) > [The bad artists imitate, the great artists steal,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/the-bad-artists-imitate-the-great-artists-steal/) [Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/) > [Graffiti's always been a temporary art form. You make your mark and then they scrub it off.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/graffiti-s-always-been-a-temporary-art-form-you-make-your-mark-and/) [Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/) > [I just wanna make the world a better-looking place. If you don't like it, you can paint over it!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/i-just-wanna-make-the-world-a-better-looking-place-if-you-don-t-like/) [Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/) > [When he time comes to leave, just walk away quietly and don't make any fuss.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/when-he-time-comes-to-leave-just-walk-away-quietly-and-don-t-make-any/) [Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/) > [If at first you don't succeed, Call an airstrike.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/if-at-first-you-don-t-succeed-call-an-airstrike/) [Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/) > [Painting something that defies the law of the land is good. Painting something that defies the law of the land and the law of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/painting-something-that-defies-the-law-of-the-land-is-good-painting/) [Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/) > [“Think outside the box, collapse the box, and take a fucking sharp knife to it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/think-outside-the-box-collapse-the-box-and-take-a-fucking-sharp-knife/) [Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/) > [We can't do anything to change the world until capitalism crumbles. In the meantime we should all go shopping to console ourselves,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/we-can-t-do-anything-to-change-the-world-until-capitalism-crumbles-in/) [Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/) > [If you want to say something and have people listen then you have to wear a mask. If you want to be honest then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/if-you-want-to-say-something-and-have-people-listen-then-you-have-to/) [Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/) [Explore all 140 Banksy quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/) ## More Breaking the rules quotes > [I want to remind people of a different kind of glamour, a different look, and breaking the rules of fashion. I wanna break the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dita-von-teese/i-want-to-remind-people-of-a-different-kind-of-glamour-a-different/) [Dita Von Teese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dita-von-teese/) > [Creativity comes by breaking the rules, by saying that you're in love with the anarchist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anita-roddick/creativity-comes-by-breaking-the-rules-by-saying-that-you-re-in-love/) [Anita Roddick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anita-roddick/) > [In effect we are, bending and breaking the rules of the language. And if someone were to ask why we do it, the answer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-crystal/in-effect-we-are-bending-and-breaking-the-rules-of-the-language-and/) [David Crystal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-crystal/) > [“The greatest crimes in the world are not committed by people breaking the rules, but by people following the rules.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-greatest-crimes-in-the-world-are-not-committed-by-people-breaking/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“The gospel addresses our greatest need and brings change and transformation to every area of life. Let’s look at just a few of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-keller/the-gospel-addresses-our-greatest-need-and-brings-change-and/) [Timothy Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-keller/) > [Sometimes breaking the rules is extending the rules.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-oliver/sometimes-breaking-the-rules-is-extending-the-rules/) [Mary Oliver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-oliver/) > [“I sometimes felt guilty about betraying Dumbledore’s trust, of course he had admitted me to Hogwarts when no other Headmaster would have done so,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/i-sometimes-felt-guilty-about-betraying-dumbledore-s-trust-of-course/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) > [“I had artistic classical training, and when you learn the classics for so many years, you might gain audacity, power and confidence to subvert…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nuno-roque/i-had-artistic-classical-training-and-when-you-learn-the-classics-for/) Nuno Roque > [“Life is a game with breaking the rules.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tamerlan-kuzgov/life-is-a-game-with-breaking-the-rules/) [Tamerlan Kuzgov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tamerlan-kuzgov/) > [“I remember the thing that caused the trauma, but I don't hold on to the trauma. I never let the memory of something painful…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trevor-noah/i-remember-the-thing-that-caused-the-trauma-but-i-don-t-hold-on-to/) [Trevor Noah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trevor-noah/) > [“Three Things to Remember As long as you’re dancing, you can break the rules. Sometimes breaking the rules is just extending the rules. Sometimes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-oliver/three-things-to-remember-as-long-as-you-re-dancing-you-can-break-the/) [Mary Oliver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-oliver/) > [“So, how did everything work out in the end? How did your parents deal with the subterfugery?” He looks behind us cautiously as if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristin-rae/so-how-did-everything-work-out-in-the-end-how-did-your-parents-deal/) [Kristin Rae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristin-rae/) > [“This is no longer restlessness--it's recklessness. At first we're walking hand in hand. Then we're running hand in hand. That giddy rush of keeping…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-levithan/this-is-no-longer-restlessness-it-s-recklessness-at-first-we-re/) [David Levithan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-levithan/) > [Because sin is not just breaking the rules, it is putting yourself in the place of God as Savior, Lord, and Judge just as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-keller/because-sin-is-not-just-breaking-the-rules-it-is-putting-yourself-in/) [Timothy Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-keller/) > [Man breaking the rules of the world like it just a mere mudwall..](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yonem-elo/man-breaking-the-rules-of-the-world-like-it-just-a-mere-mudwall/) [Yonem Elo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yonem-elo/) [Browse all 88 Breaking the rules quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/breaking-the-rules/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“The greatest crimes in the world are not committed by people breaking the rules. 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