---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I shall be extremely sorry, if any man…"
description: "\"I shall be extremely sorry, if any man mistakes my meaning in any thing I have said. Officers employed by the crown are, while according to the laws th..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6bb/john-dickinson-18449_respect_i-shall-be-extremely-sorry-if-any-man-mi_2194006.jpg"
---

#  I shall be extremely sorry, if any man mistakes my meaning…

![“I shall be extremely sorry, if any man mistakes my meaning in any thing I have said. Officers employed by the crown are, while according to the laws they conduct themselves, entitled to legal obedience and sincere respect. These it is a duty to render them; and these no good or prudent person will…” quote by John Dickinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6bb/john-dickinson-18449_respect_i-shall-be-extremely-sorry-if-any-man-mi_2194006.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6bb/john-dickinson-18449_respect_i-shall-be-extremely-sorry-if-any-man-mi_2194006.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6bb/john-dickinson-18449_respect_i-shall-be-extremely-sorry-if-any-man-mi_2194006.jpg)

> “I shall be extremely sorry, if any man mistakes my meaning in any thing I have said. Officers employed by the crown are, while according to the laws they conduct themselves, entitled to legal obedience and sincere respect. These it is a duty to render them; and these no good or prudent person will withhold. But when these officers, through rashness or design, desire to enlarge their authority beyond its due regard for the employments they bear, their attempts should be considered as equal injuries to the crown and the people, and should be courageously and constantly opposed.”

[John Dickinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dickinson/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

A warning that officials who abuse power harm both the state and its citizens, and must be resisted.

**In simple terms:** Abusing authority damages society and must be opposed.

Key Takeaway

Resist overreaching officials.

Themes

authority justice citizenship government responsibility

Mood

cautious determined critical

Type

political ethical advisory

When to use this quote

- public office
- law enforcement
- community activism
- policy debate

Key Concepts

rule of law civil disobedience political philosophy

Questions to Reflect On

- How do we balance respect for law with challenging abuse?
- What mechanisms ensure officials stay accountable?

A Different Perspective

Resistance can be risky and may provoke retaliation.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Respect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/respect/)

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## More by John Dickinson

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Browse all 465 Conduct quotes

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