Acting Quote by Bertrand Russell
“We are told that Sin consists in acting contrary to God's commands, but we are also told that God is omnipotent. . . . This leads to frightful results. . . . The British State considers it the duty of an Englishman to kill people who are not English whenever a collection of elderly gentlemen in Westminster tells him to do so. . . . Church and State are placable enemies of both intelligence and virtue.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: “On the Value of Philosophy”, 1912
Questioning moral authority when divine power is absolute leads to dangerous outcomes and state violence.
In simple terms: Blind obedience to authority can be harmful.
Key Takeaway
Question authority.
Themes
ethics
power
state violence
Mood
thoughtful
serious
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- government policy
- religious doctrine
- civil disobedience
Key Concepts
philosophy
politics
moral relativism
Questions to Reflect On
- What moral responsibilities do citizens have under oppressive regimes?
- How can societies balance faith and critical thinking?
A Different Perspective
Absolute power can justify immoral acts.
![“[Genderless marriage] is contrary to God's law, to revealed Word. Scripture, ancient and modern, could not be clearer on the definition that the Lord and His agents have given to marriage down through the dispensations.” quote by Lance B. Wickman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/05a/lance-b-wickman-15289_agents_genderless-marriage-is-contrary-to-god-s_467791.jpg)
![“To be more precise... death is [contrary to] God, and if death is natural, if it is the ultimate truth about life and about the world, if it is the highest and immutable law about all of creation, then there is no God, then this whole story about creation, about joy, and about the light of life is…” quote by Alexander Schmemann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/4e8/alexander-schmemann-18392_christian_to-be-more-precise-death-is-contrary-to_126170.jpg)
![“If the State does not acquire supremacy over [vast private] enterprises, it becomes their puppet, and they become the real State.” quote by Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/bad/bertrand-russell-69_acquire_if-the-state-does-not-acquire-supremacy_1379.jpg)
