Government Quote by Charles Grandison Finney
“The obligation of human beings to support and obey human governments, while they legislate upon the principles of the moral law, is an unalterable as the moral law itself.”
About This Quote
Source Sermon: "The Moral Law and Government", 1840
Human beings must obey governments that enact laws aligning with moral principles, as this obedience is as immutable as the moral law itself.
In simple terms: Obey governments that follow moral law.
Key Takeaway
Support lawful, moral governance.
Themes
obedience
morality
government
law
ethics
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
ethical
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- voting
- civic engagement
- policy advocacy
- community organizing
Key Concepts
Social contract
natural law
political philosophy
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we assess when a law reflects moral law?
- What responsibilities do citizens have when laws conflict with personal ethics?
A Different Perspective
If governments diverge from moral law, obedience may become problematic.
