--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We have a responsibility to disobey and…" description: "\"“We have a responsibility to disobey and violate unjust rules and laws.”\" — Bryant McGill" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2fe/bryant-mcgill-108_disobey_we-have-a-responsibility-to-disobey-and_3011713.jpg" --- # We have a responsibility to disobey and violate unjust… ![“We have a responsibility to disobey and violate unjust rules and laws.” quote by Bryant McGill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2fe/bryant-mcgill-108_disobey_we-have-a-responsibility-to-disobey-and_3011713.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2fe/bryant-mcgill-108_disobey_we-have-a-responsibility-to-disobey-and_3011713.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2fe/bryant-mcgill-108_disobey_we-have-a-responsibility-to-disobey-and_3011713.jpg) > ““We have a responsibility to disobey and violate unjust rules and laws.”” [Bryant McGill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-mcgill/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. When laws are unjust, individuals have a moral duty to resist and break them, up societal change. **In simple terms:** Disobey unfair rules to uphold justice. Key Takeaway Act against unjust laws responsibly. Themes ethics activism justice Mood inspirational defiant Type activism ethical When to use this quote - protests - legal challenges - community organizing Key Concepts civil disobedience moral responsibility Questions to Reflect On - When is civil disobedience justified? - What safeguards protect participants? A Different Perspective Risk of legal repercussions exists. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Law](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/law/) [Laws](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/laws/) [Obedience](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/obedience/) [Respect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/respect/) [Responsibility](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/responsibility/) [Rules](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rules/) [Rules And Laws](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rules-and-laws/) ## Related quotes > [One has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr/one-has-a-moral-responsibility-to-disobey-unjust-laws/) [Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr/) > [“Peer pressure must never be an influence on us. Nor should unjust rules or laws have any effect on us. What is right must…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abbot-george-burke-swami-nirmalananda-giri/peer-pressure-must-never-be-an-influence-on-us-nor-should-unjust/) Abbot George Burke (Swami Nirmalananda Giri > [“One has not only a legal but a moral responsibility to obey just laws. Conversely, one has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr/one-has-not-only-a-legal-but-a-moral-responsibility-to-obey-just-laws-2/) [Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr/) > [In any civilized society, it is every citizen's responsibility to obey just laws. But at the same time, it is every citizen's responsibility to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr/in-any-civilized-society-it-is-every-citizen-s-responsibility-to-obey/) [Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr/) > [There's a lot of rules and laws that I follow that our country has set up in the universities. So I definitely follow those.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-macintyre/there-s-a-lot-of-rules-and-laws-that-i-follow-that-our-country-has/) Mike MacIntyre > [Islamic state means a state based on justice and democracy and structured upon Islamic rules and laws.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruhollah-khomeini/islamic-state-means-a-state-based-on-justice-and-democracy-and/) [Ruhollah Khomeini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruhollah-khomeini/) > [“I see no reason why a woman should feel herself deserving of a separation from God because of a decision she has to make.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willie-parker/i-see-no-reason-why-a-woman-should-feel-herself-deserving-of-a/) [Willie Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willie-parker/) > [“The needs for safety, belonging, love relations and for respect can be satisfied only by other people, i.e., only from outside the person. This…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-h-maslow/the-needs-for-safety-belonging-love-relations-and-for-respect-can-be/) [Abraham H. Maslow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-h-maslow/) > [“There are rules and laws to help ensure our physical safety. Likewise, the Lord has provided guidelines and commandments to help ensure our spiritual…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/there-are-rules-and-laws-to-help-ensure-our-physical-safety-likewise/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [The endeavor of scientific research to see events in their more general connection in order to determine their laws, is a legitimate and useful…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-horkheimer/the-endeavor-of-scientific-research-to-see-events-in-their-more/) [Max Horkheimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-horkheimer/) > [In dealing with those nations that break rules and laws, I believe that we must develop alternatives to violence that are tough enough to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/in-dealing-with-those-nations-that-break-rules-and-laws-i-believe/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [What I'm trying to do is just sing what comes to my body in the context of the song. And if you go by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-buckley/what-i-m-trying-to-do-is-just-sing-what-comes-to-my-body-in-the/) [Jeff Buckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-buckley/) > [I don't think you can write according to a set of rules and laws; every writer is so different.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kiran-desai/i-don-t-think-you-can-write-according-to-a-set-of-rules-and-laws/) [Kiran Desai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kiran-desai/) > [“Freedom and respect for the individual are rooted in the Old Testament, which convinced man that he makes his own history, that he is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joost-a-m-meerloo-2/freedom-and-respect-for-the-individual-are-rooted-in-the-old/) Joost A.M. Meerloo > [It's no wonder we don't defend the land where we live. We don't live here. We live in television programs and movies and books…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derrick-jensen/it-s-no-wonder-we-don-t-defend-the-land-where-we-live-we-don-t-live/) [Derrick Jensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derrick-jensen/) ## More by Bryant McGill > [“Witnessing a selfless act brings tears to remind us how we should be treating others.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-mcgill/witnessing-a-selfless-act-brings-tears-to-remind-us-how-we-should-be/) [Bryant McGill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-mcgill/) > [“The teacher can only provide the lessons, but the student ultimately decides what to learn.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-mcgill/the-teacher-can-only-provide-the-lessons-but-the-student-ultimately/) [Bryant McGill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-mcgill/) > [“Start the daily practice of joyful living.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-mcgill/start-the-daily-practice-of-joyful-living/) [Bryant McGill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-mcgill/) > [“You have permission to walk away from anything that doesn't feel right. Trust your instincts and listen to your inner-voice — it's trying to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-mcgill/you-have-permission-to-walk-away-from-anything-that-doesn-t-feel/) [Bryant McGill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-mcgill/) > [“Fun is not an activity, it is a state of mind.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-mcgill/fun-is-not-an-activity-it-is-a-state-of-mind/) [Bryant McGill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-mcgill/) > [“You cannot change another person's mind or educate them; this they must do themselves.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-mcgill/you-cannot-change-another-person-s-mind-or-educate-them-this-they/) [Bryant McGill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-mcgill/) > [“The public good must come before private interests.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-mcgill/the-public-good-must-come-before-private-interests/) [Bryant McGill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-mcgill/) > [“Countries, states, cities, corporations and laws are all words on paper.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-mcgill/countries-states-cities-corporations-and-laws-are-all-words-on-paper/) [Bryant McGill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-mcgill/) > [“We must remember that nature is the supreme cradle of life, and must be protected and treated with the highest respect and care.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-mcgill/we-must-remember-that-nature-is-the-supreme-cradle-of-life-and-must/) [Bryant McGill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-mcgill/) > [“The world is not fair, and often fools, cowards, liars and the selfish hide in high places. (p 57)”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-mcgill/the-world-is-not-fair-and-often-fools-cowards-liars-and-the-selfish/) [Bryant McGill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-mcgill/) > [“Even discomfort or pain delivers awareness of life, and an opportunity for gratitude.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-mcgill/even-discomfort-or-pain-delivers-awareness-of-life-and-an-opportunity/) [Bryant McGill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-mcgill/) > [“The secret to unseating great power, is not to move the other direction, but to compete directly against their goals.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-mcgill/the-secret-to-unseating-great-power-is-not-to-move-the-other/) [Bryant McGill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-mcgill/) > [“In the moments of your deepest need, despair and desperation, what you need more than any other thing, is calm and faith.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-mcgill/in-the-moments-of-your-deepest-need-despair-and-desperation-what-you/) [Bryant McGill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-mcgill/) > [“It is essential that you follow your own idea of passion, even if to others it looks like suffering.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-mcgill/it-is-essential-that-you-follow-your-own-idea-of-passion-even-if-to/) [Bryant McGill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-mcgill/) > [“Joy is a practice, not an involuntary state.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-mcgill/joy-is-a-practice-not-an-involuntary-state/) [Bryant McGill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-mcgill/) [Explore all 1,286 Bryant McGill quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-mcgill/) ## More Disobey quotes > [“As the boy looked at it, my thing moved and he whispered "It is splendid! Do let me try its love-making" ... And I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-m-christman/as-the-boy-looked-at-it-my-thing-moved-and-he-whispered-it-is/) Henry M. Christman > [If we're being told to do stupid or cruel things, then it is morally correct to disobey.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-firrell/if-we-re-being-told-to-do-stupid-or-cruel-things-then-it-is-morally/) [Martin Firrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-firrell/) > [You simply disobey. Peaceably, yes. Respectfully, of course. Nonviolently, absolutely. But when told how to think or what to say or how to behave,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlton-heston/you-simply-disobey-peaceably-yes-respectfully-of-course-nonviolently/) [Charlton Heston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlton-heston/) > [Go, send, or disobey.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-piper/go-send-or-disobey/) [John Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-piper/) > [“Come here.” She blanched, backing away instead. “Don’t disobey me. I’ve been more than cordial. I’ve been patient and mostly kind. But if you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pepper-winters/come-here-she-blanched-backing-away-instead-don-t-disobey-me-i-ve/) [Pepper Winters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pepper-winters/) > [If people disobey, don't ask what is wrong with them, ask what's wrong with their leaders.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-gladwell/if-people-disobey-don-t-ask-what-is-wrong-with-them-ask-what-s-wrong/) [Malcolm Gladwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-gladwell/) > [“Behave," he gritted at her as if he was in control of this, of her, of his own wild response, "and this will be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caitlin-crews/behave-he-gritted-at-her-as-if-he-was-in-control-of-this-of-her-of/) [Caitlin Crews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caitlin-crews/) > [In war the first principle is to disobey orders. Any fool can obey orders!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-fisher-1st-baron-fisher/in-war-the-first-principle-is-to-disobey-orders-any-fool-can-obey/) John Fisher, 1st Baron Fisher > [It is only when our characters and events begin to disobey us that they begin to live.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-fowles/it-is-only-when-our-characters-and-events-begin-to-disobey-us-that/) [John Fowles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-fowles/) > [When justice happens to oppose prejudice, we are apt to believe it virtuous to disobey her.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-radcliffe/when-justice-happens-to-oppose-prejudice-we-are-apt-to-believe-it/) [Ann Radcliffe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-radcliffe/) > [You can't disobey the rules every time you disapprove. However, when you're considering something that constitutes an extreme abridgement of your rights, conscience is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-savio/you-can-t-disobey-the-rules-every-time-you-disapprove-however-when/) [Mario Savio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-savio/) > [I really believe that in the larger sense, not only today but at all times, you only find yourself when you disobey. Disobedience is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guillermo-del-toro/i-really-believe-that-in-the-larger-sense-not-only-today-but-at-all/) [Guillermo del Toro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guillermo-del-toro/) > [In our evil we rebel against God. We take the law of God, written in his Word and on our hearts, and we disobey…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-platt/in-our-evil-we-rebel-against-god-we-take-the-law-of-god-written-in/) [David Platt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-platt/) > [I could not disobey the will of the Catalan parliament.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carles-puigdemont/i-could-not-disobey-the-will-of-the-catalan-parliament/) [Carles Puigdemont](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carles-puigdemont/) > [“We all realize at some point we are not as good as we think we are. We disobey. We fail those we love.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-j-besteman/we-all-realize-at-some-point-we-are-not-as-good-as-we-think-we-are-we/) Marvin J. Besteman Browse all 55 Disobey quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“We have a responsibility to disobey and violate unjust rules and laws.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Bryant McGill" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-mcgill/we-have-a-responsibility-to-disobey-and-violate-unjust-rules-and-laws/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Disobey" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-mcgill/we-have-a-responsibility-to-disobey-and-violate-unjust-rules-and-laws/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2fe/bryant-mcgill-108_disobey_we-have-a-responsibility-to-disobey-and_3011713.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2fe/bryant-mcgill-108_disobey_we-have-a-responsibility-to-disobey-and_3011713.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2fe/bryant-mcgill-108_disobey_we-have-a-responsibility-to-disobey-and_3011713.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“We have a responsibility to disobey and violate unjust rules and laws.” — Bryant McGill", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Bryant McGill", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-mcgill/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“We have a responsibility to disobey...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-mcgill/we-have-a-responsibility-to-disobey-and-violate-unjust-rules-and-laws/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-mcgill/we-have-a-responsibility-to-disobey-and-violate-unjust-rules-and-laws/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```