--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Unjust laws exist: shall we be content to…" description: "\"Unjust laws exist: shall we be content to obey them, or shall we endeavor to amend them, and obey them until we have succeeded, or shall we transgress ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a90/henry-david-thoreau-20_endeavor_unjust-laws-exist-shall-we-be-content-to_725642.jpg" --- # Unjust laws exist: shall we be content to obey them, or… ![“Unjust laws exist: shall we be content to obey them, or shall we endeavor to amend them, and obey them until we have succeeded, or shall we transgress them at once?” quote by Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a90/henry-david-thoreau-20_endeavor_unjust-laws-exist-shall-we-be-content-to_725642.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a90/henry-david-thoreau-20_endeavor_unjust-laws-exist-shall-we-be-content-to_725642.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a90/henry-david-thoreau-20_endeavor_unjust-laws-exist-shall-we-be-content-to_725642.jpg) > “Unjust laws exist: shall we be content to obey them, or shall we endeavor to amend them, and obey them until we have succeeded, or shall we transgress them at once?” [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Questioning whether to accept unjust laws or actively work to change them, balancing obedience and resistance. **In simple terms:** Decide to obey or resist unjust laws. Key Takeaway Weigh obedience against active reform. Themes justice civil disobedience political activism Mood determined reflective Type ethical political When to use this quote - protests - legislative advocacy - community organizing Key Concepts Moral philosophy social contract civic duty Questions to Reflect On - What injustices compel you to act? - How can peaceful protest be effective? A Different Perspective Changing laws can be slow and risky. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Amend Obey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/amend-obey-5693666/) [Endeavor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/endeavor/) [Exist Shall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/exist-shall-2380907/) [Law](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/law/) [Laws Exist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/laws-exist-841189/) [Obey Shall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/obey-shall-5648450/) [Unjust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unjust/) [Unjust laws](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unjust-laws/) ## Related quotes > [Unjust laws exist: shall we be content to obey them?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/unjust-laws-exist-shall-we-be-content-to-obey-them/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [“Unjust laws exist; shall we be content to obey them, or shall we endeavor to amend them, and obey them until we have succeeded,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/unjust-laws-exist-shall-we-be-content-to-obey-them-or-shall-we/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [I shall choose friends among men, but neither slaves nor masters. 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