Crime Quote by Henry David Thoreau
“Under a government which imprisons any unjustly, the true place for a just man is also a prison.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: "Civil Disobedience", 1849
When a government unjustly imprisons, a truly just person may also end up imprisoned for resisting.
In simple terms: Just people may be imprisoned by unjust governments.
Stand up against injustice, even at personal cost.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- activism
- legal protest
- whistleblowing
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What forms of resistance are most effective?
- How do you reconcile personal safety with moral duty?
Risk of personal harm and societal backlash.