--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I honestly do not know if civil…" description: "\"I honestly do not know if civil disobedience has any effect on the government. I can promise you it has a great effect on the person who chooses to do ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/282/harriet-beecher-stowe-1149_breasts_i-honestly-do-not-know-if-civil-disobedi_2463770.jpg" --- # I honestly do not know if civil disobedience has any… ![“I honestly do not know if civil disobedience has any effect on the government. I can promise you it has a great effect on the person who chooses to do it. Martin Sheen The burning of rebellious thoughts in the little breast, of internal hatred and opposition, could not long go on without slight…” quote by Harriet Beecher Stowe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/282/harriet-beecher-stowe-1149_breasts_i-honestly-do-not-know-if-civil-disobedi_2463770.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/282/harriet-beecher-stowe-1149_breasts_i-honestly-do-not-know-if-civil-disobedi_2463770.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/282/harriet-beecher-stowe-1149_breasts_i-honestly-do-not-know-if-civil-disobedi_2463770.jpg) > “I honestly do not know if civil disobedience has any effect on the government. I can promise you it has a great effect on the person who chooses to do it. Martin Sheen The burning of rebellious thoughts in the little breast, of internal hatred and opposition, could not long go on without slight whiffs of external smoke, such as mark the course of subterranean fire.” [Harriet Beecher Stowe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harriet-beecher-stowe/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Civil disobedience harms the protester more than the government, shaping character and conscience. **In simple terms:** Protesting changes the protester. Key Takeaway Consider personal cost of protest. Themes activism conscience risk Mood determined reflective serious Type political ethical When to use this quote - protests - whistleblowing - political activism - personal moral decisions Key Concepts civil disobedience personal transformation political ethics Questions to Reflect On - What motivates you to protest? - How do you cope with personal fallout? A Different Perspective Effectiveness on policy is uncertain. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Civil disobedience](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civil-disobedience/) [Disobedience](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disobedience/) [Fire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fire/) [Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government/) [Hatred](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hatred/) [Opposition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opposition/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Promise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/promise/) [Protest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/protest/) [Smoke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/smoke/) ## Related quotes > [I honestly do not know if civil disobedience has any effect on the government. 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Because now is the only time there ever is to do a thing in," said Miss Ophelia.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harriet-beecher-stowe/what-s-your-hurry-because-now-is-the-only-time-there-ever-is-to-do-a/) [Harriet Beecher Stowe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harriet-beecher-stowe/) [Explore all 280 Harriet Beecher Stowe quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harriet-beecher-stowe/) ## More Breasts quotes > [Women still, when they have breast cancer, go to work; they still lead their lives. They have to. 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