---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: No man has a right to do as he pleases…"
description: "\"No man has a right to do as he pleases, except when he pleases to do right.\" — Charles Simmons"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a73/charles-simmons-15697_inspirational_no-man-has-a-right-to-do-as-he-pleases-e_1247446.png"
---

#  No man has a right to do as he pleases, except when he…

![“No man has a right to do as he pleases, except when he pleases to do right.” quote by Charles Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a73/charles-simmons-15697_inspirational_no-man-has-a-right-to-do-as-he-pleases-e_1247446.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a73/charles-simmons-15697_inspirational_no-man-has-a-right-to-do-as-he-pleases-e_1247446.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a73/charles-simmons-15697_inspirational_no-man-has-a-right-to-do-as-he-pleases-e_1247446.png)

> “No man has a right to do as he pleases, except when he pleases to do right.”

[Charles Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-simmons/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Moral actions are justified only when they align with doing what is right, not personal desire.

**In simple terms:** Right actions differ from personal whims.

Key Takeaway

Prioritize moral duty.

Themes

ethics rights responsibility

Mood

serious inquisitive

Type

ethical reflective

When to use this quote

- decision making
- leadership
- personal conduct

Key Concepts

philosophy law

Questions to Reflect On

- When have you acted for right over desire?
- How do you define “right”?

A Different Perspective

Personal freedom can conflict with moral duty.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/)

## Related quotes

> [No man has a right to do what he pleases, except when he pleases to do right.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-simmons/no-man-has-a-right-to-do-what-he-pleases-except-when-he-pleases-to-do/)

[Charles Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-simmons/)

> [Vienna is a handsome, lively city, and pleases me exceedingly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederic-chopin/vienna-is-a-handsome-lively-city-and-pleases-me-exceedingly/)

[Frederic Chopin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederic-chopin/)

> [I abhor crime novels in which the main character can behave however he or she pleases, or do things that normal people do not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-abhor-crime-novels-in-which-the-main-character-can-behave-however/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [ He \[Moliere\] pleases all the world, but cannot please himself. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicolas-boileau-despreaux/he-moliere-pleases-all-the-world-but-cannot-please-himself/)

[Nicolas Boileau-Despreaux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicolas-boileau-despreaux/)

> [When a man is right with God, God will freely use him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/f-b-meyer/when-a-man-is-right-with-god-god-will-freely-use-him/)

[F.B. Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/f-b-meyer/)

> [I count something as successful if it pleases the audience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/poonam-dhillon/i-count-something-as-successful-if-it-pleases-the-audience/)

[Poonam Dhillon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/poonam-dhillon/)

> [Prejudice, which sees what it pleases, cannot see what is plain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aubrey-thomas-de-vere/prejudice-which-sees-what-it-pleases-cannot-see-what-is-plain/)

Aubrey Thomas de Vere

> [It pleases me that people can be interactive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracey-emin/it-pleases-me-that-people-can-be-interactive/)

[Tracey Emin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracey-emin/)

> [“If it pleases me, then it is good and I want more; If it displeases me, then it must be destroyed as soon as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-hearne/if-it-pleases-me-then-it-is-good-and-i-want-more-if-it-displeases-me/)

[Kevin Hearne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-hearne/)

> [What is good only because it pleases cannot be pronounced good till it has been found to please.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/what-is-good-only-because-it-pleases-cannot-be-pronounced-good-till/)

[Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/)

> [The more one pleases everybody, the less one pleases profoundly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stendhal/the-more-one-pleases-everybody-the-less-one-pleases-profoundly/)

[Stendhal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stendhal/)

> [“But I believe that the desire to please You does in fact pleases You.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/but-i-believe-that-the-desire-to-please-you-does-in-fact-pleases-you/)

[Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/)

> [“I highly recommend cleanliness. It pleases women and annoys men, which are two excellent ways to get on in society.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-ross/i-highly-recommend-cleanliness-it-pleases-women-and-annoys-men-which/)

[Kate Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-ross/)

> [Whatever pleases You is a pure action of karma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-guru-granth-sahib/whatever-pleases-you-is-a-pure-action-of-karma/)

[Sri Guru Granth Sahib](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-guru-granth-sahib/)

> [“The more one pleases generally, the less one pleases profoundly.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/krister-stendahl/the-more-one-pleases-generally-the-less-one-pleases-profoundly/)

Krister Stendahl

## More by Charles Simmons

> [Accurate knowledge is the basis of correct opinions; the want of it makes the opinions of most people of little value.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-simmons/accurate-knowledge-is-the-basis-of-correct-opinions-the-want-of-it/)

[Charles Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-simmons/)

> [When a person feels disposed to over estimate his own importance, let him remember that mankind got along very well before his birth, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-simmons/when-a-person-feels-disposed-to-over-estimate-his-own-importance-let/)

[Charles Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-simmons/)

> [A person's character is but half formed till after wedlock.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-simmons/a-person-s-character-is-but-half-formed-till-after-wedlock/)

[Charles Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-simmons/)

> [Ridicule is the first and last argument of a fool.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-simmons/ridicule-is-the-first-and-last-argument-of-a-fool/)

[Charles Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-simmons/)

> [Uncalled for excuses are practical confessions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-simmons/uncalled-for-excuses-are-practical-confessions/)

[Charles Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-simmons/)

> [Promptitude is not only a duty, but is also a part of good manners; it is favorable to fortune, reputation, influence and usefulness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-simmons/promptitude-is-not-only-a-duty-but-is-also-a-part-of-good-manners-it/)

[Charles Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-simmons/)

> [The smallest number, with God and truth on their side, are weightier than thousands.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-simmons/the-smallest-number-with-god-and-truth-on-their-side-are-weightier/)

[Charles Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-simmons/)

> [Bigotry and intolerance, silenced by argument, endeavors to silence by persecution, in old days by fire and sword, in modern days by the tongue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-simmons/bigotry-and-intolerance-silenced-by-argument-endeavors-to-silence-by/)

[Charles Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-simmons/)

> [Good intentions are very mortal and perishable things. Like very mellow and choice fruit, they are difficult to keep.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-simmons/good-intentions-are-very-mortal-and-perishable-things-like-very/)

[Charles Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-simmons/)

> [Most of the wisdom of one age, is the folly of the next.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-simmons/most-of-the-wisdom-of-one-age-is-the-folly-of-the-next/)

[Charles Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-simmons/)

> [Promptitude is not only a duty, but is also a part of good manners; it is favorable to fortune, reputation, influence, and usefulness; a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-simmons/promptitude-is-not-only-a-duty-but-is-also-a-part-of-good-manners-it-2/)

[Charles Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-simmons/)

> [If you would reform the world from its errors and vices, begin by enlisting the mothers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-simmons/if-you-would-reform-the-world-from-its-errors-and-vices-begin-by/)

[Charles Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-simmons/)

> [Good Humor is the best shield against the darts of satirical raillery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-simmons/good-humor-is-the-best-shield-against-the-darts-of-satirical-raillery/)

[Charles Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-simmons/)

> [He who feasts every day, feasts no day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-simmons/he-who-feasts-every-day-feasts-no-day/)

[Charles Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-simmons/)

> [Live only for today, and you ruin tomorrow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-simmons/live-only-for-today-and-you-ruin-tomorrow/)

[Charles Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-simmons/)

[Explore all 42 Charles Simmons quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-simmons/)

## More Inspirational quotes

> [Life is full of change. That's how we learn and grow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-is-full-of-change-that-s-how-we-learn-and-grow/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [We talk to God--that is prayer; God talks to us--that is inspiration.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-emilie-cady/we-talk-to-god-that-is-prayer-god-talks-to-us-that-is-inspiration/)

[H. Emilie Cady](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-emilie-cady/)

> [You cant be controlling in improv.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-walsh/you-cant-be-controlling-in-improv/)

[Matt Walsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-walsh/)

> [The man who can master his time can master nearly anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/the-man-who-can-master-his-time-can-master-nearly-anything/)

[Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/)

> [You'll seldom experience regret for anything that you've done. It is what you haven't done that will torment you. The message, therefore, is clear.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-ll-seldom-experience-regret-for-anything-that-you-ve-done-it-is/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Just understand that the good that you want is already here. All you have to do is get in harmony with it. And you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-proctor/just-understand-that-the-good-that-you-want-is-already-here-all-you/)

[Bob Proctor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-proctor/)

> [“If you want to build a ship, don’t drum up the men to gather wood, divide the work, and give orders. Instead, teach them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antoine-de-saint-exup-ry/if-you-want-to-build-a-ship-don-t-drum-up-the-men-to-gather-wood/)

[Antoine de Saint-Exupéry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antoine-de-saint-exup-ry/)

> [Obviously, if you don't love life, you can't enjoy an oyster.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eleanor-clark/obviously-if-you-don-t-love-life-you-can-t-enjoy-an-oyster/)

[Eleanor Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eleanor-clark/)

> [It's not the method, it's the mindset.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-gilbert/it-s-not-the-method-it-s-the-mindset/)

[Andy Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-gilbert/)

> [It's a hard thing to describe. It's just this sense that you got something to say.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonah-lehrer/it-s-a-hard-thing-to-describe-it-s-just-this-sense-that-you-got/)

[Jonah Lehrer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonah-lehrer/)

> [Too much familiarity breeds contempt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/too-much-familiarity-breeds-contempt/)

[Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/)

> [We never really perceive what color is physically!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josef-albers/we-never-really-perceive-what-color-is-physically/)

[Josef Albers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josef-albers/)

> [Politics is not an issue whether you like or dislike , but every citizen must involve.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khem-veasna/politics-is-not-an-issue-whether-you-like-or-dislike-but-every/)

[Khem Veasna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khem-veasna/)

> [God reveals Himself through surprises.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/god-reveals-himself-through-surprises/)

[Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/)

> [Never underestimate the power of the human mind to believe what it wants to believe, no matter the conflicting evidence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-herbert/never-underestimate-the-power-of-the-human-mind-to-believe-what-it/)

[Brian Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-herbert/)

[Browse all 114,561 Inspirational quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "No man has a right to do as he pleases, except when he pleases to do right.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Charles Simmons"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-simmons/no-man-has-a-right-to-do-as-he-pleases-except-when-he-pleases-to-do/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Inspirational"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-simmons/no-man-has-a-right-to-do-as-he-pleases-except-when-he-pleases-to-do/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a73/charles-simmons-15697_inspirational_no-man-has-a-right-to-do-as-he-pleases-e_1247446.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a73/charles-simmons-15697_inspirational_no-man-has-a-right-to-do-as-he-pleases-e_1247446.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a73/charles-simmons-15697_inspirational_no-man-has-a-right-to-do-as-he-pleases-e_1247446.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“No man has a right to do as he pleases, except when he pleases to do right.” — Charles Simmons",
                "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": "Charles Simmons",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-simmons/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "No man has a right to...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-simmons/no-man-has-a-right-to-do-as-he-pleases-except-when-he-pleases-to-do/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-simmons/no-man-has-a-right-to-do-as-he-pleases-except-when-he-pleases-to-do/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
