Clash Quote by Henry David Thoreau
“When a man's conscience and the laws clash, it is his conscience that he must follow.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Civil Disobedience, 1849
When personal morality conflicts with legal rules, one should obey conscience over law.
In simple terms: Follow conscience, not law, when they clash.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize ethical integrity.
Themes
ethics
law
conscience
civil disobedience
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- activism
- legal protest
- personal decision making
- ethical dilemmas
Key Concepts
Moral philosophy
individual responsibility
Questions to Reflect On
- What values guide your conscience?
- How do you balance personal ethics with civic duties?
A Different Perspective
Legal consequences can be severe and societal stability may be threatened.
![“I can hardly believe what these 12 caricatures [about Prophet Muhammad] have caused in the world. We Danes feel like we have been placed in a scene in the wrong movie. But I don't see the fight as a clash of civilizations. Rather, we must focus on avoiding exactly this type of conflict. We have to…” quote by Anders Fogh Rasmussen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/8d8/anders-fogh-rasmussen-21056_acknowledgement_i-can-hardly-believe-what-these-12-caric_14933.jpg)
