Civil disobedience Quote by Henry David Thoreau
““If the injustice is part of the necessary friction of the machine of government, let it go, let it go: perchance it will wear smooth—certainly the machine will wear out. If the injustice has a spring, or a pulley, or a rope, or a crank, exclusively for itself, then perhaps you may consider whether the remedy will not be worse than the evil; but if it is of such a nature that it requires you to be the agent of injustice to another, then I say, break the law. Let your life be a counter-friction to stop the machine. What I have to do is to see, at any rate, that I do not lend myself to the wrong which I condemn.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: Civil Disobedience, 1849
The quote argues that when government injustice forces you to become complicit, you must resist and become a counter‑force, even if breaking the law is required.
In simple terms: Resist unjust laws; don’t become the oppressor.
Key Takeaway
Act against injustice, even if illegal.
Themes
justice
civil disobedience
morality
political responsibility
Mood
defiant
determined
reflective
Type
philosophical
ethical
political
When to use this quote
- protests
- whistleblowing
- legal challenges
- activist movements
Key Concepts
ethical resistance
civil duty
political theory
Questions to Reflect On
- When have you felt forced to act against your own principles?
- What are the risks of breaking the law for a cause?
A Different Perspective
Breaking law can cause chaos or backlash; non‑violent alternatives may be preferable.
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