Army Quote by Ben Salmon
“Regardless of nationality, all men are brothers. God is "our Father who art in heaven." The commandment "Thou shalt not kill" is unconditional and inexorable. ... The lowly Nazarene taught us the doctrine of non-resistance, and so convinced was he of the soundness of that doctrine that he sealed his belief with death on the cross. ... When human law conflicts with Divine law, my duty is clear. Conscience, my infallible guide, impels me to tell you that prison, death, or both, are infinitely preferable to joining any branch of the Army.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Personal declaration, 19th century, null
The speaker asserts that divine law supersedes human law, rejecting military service as immoral.
In simple terms: Divine law outranks human law; war is immoral.
Key Takeaway
Refuse participation in war.
Themes
peace
conscience
non‑resistance
faith
Mood
determined
serious
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- military conscription
- legal conflict
- personal conviction
- public protest
Key Concepts
ethical absolutism
civil disobedience
theology
Questions to Reflect On
- Is it ever justified to break civil law for conscience?
- How does one balance personal faith with civic responsibilities?
A Different Perspective
May conflict with societal duties and legal obligations.
![“From these Christians who came to [Avalon] to escape the bigotry of their own kind I learned something, at last, of the Nazarene, the carpenter's son who had attained Godhead in his own life and preached a rule of tolerance; and so I came to see that my quarrel was never with the Christ, but with…” quote by Marion Zimmer Bradley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/3e0/marion-zimmer-bradley-2906_avalon_from-these-christians-who-came-to-avalon_1253249.jpg)
![“Either Christ is a liar or war is never necessary, and very properly assuming that Christ told the truth, it follows that the State is without [in the words of Father Macksey] 'judicial authority to determine when war is necessary,' because it is never necessary.” quote by Ben Salmon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/1df/ben-salmon-67204_assuming_either-christ-is-a-liar-or-war-is-never_369968.jpg)
![“I can't imagine that I would be asked that by the president-elect [Donald Trump], or then-president [Barack Obama]. But it's - I'm very clear. I voted for the change that put the Army Field Manual in place as a member of Congress. I understand that law very, very quickly and am also deeply aware…” quote by James Mattis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/761/james-mattis-9515_army_i-can-t-imagine-that-i-would-be-asked-th_3990.jpg)
