Admirable Quote by Henry David Thoreau
“A common and natural result of an undue respect for law is, that you may see a file of soldiers, colonel, captain, corporal, privates, powder-monkeys, and all, marching in admirable order over hill and dale to the wars, against their wills, ay, against their common sense and consciences, which makes it very steep marching indeed, and produces a palpitation of the heart.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Civil Disobedience, Henry David Thoreau, 1849
Blind obedience to authority leads to collective suffering and loss of personal conscience.
In simple terms: Following law without question harms people.
Key Takeaway
Question authority and protect conscience.
Themes
authority
conscience
military
obedience
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- military conscription
- workplace policies
- social movements
- public protests
Key Concepts
civil disobedience
ethical conflict
group dynamics
Questions to Reflect On
- When does obedience become moral?
- How can individuals resist unjust commands?
A Different Perspective
Blind obedience can also maintain order and safety.
![“I didn't get a chance to meet Glen [Beck] for this movie. I did meet him a few years ago, coincidentally, before any of this happened. But I've been familiar with his work, so I felt I wanted to get it right. I wanted to honor him. I respect him and I think the way he does his job is admirable…” quote by Zachary Quinto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/bee/zachary-quinto-4021_admirable_i-didn-t-get-a-chance-to-meet-glen-beck_138334.jpg)
