--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Neither can oath nor promise bind any…" description: "\"Neither can oath nor promise bind any such people to obey and maintain tyrants against God and against his truth known.\" — John Knox" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/547/john-knox-15449_oath_neither-can-oath-nor-promise-bind-any-su_261689.jpg" --- # Neither can oath nor promise bind any such people to obey… ![“Neither can oath nor promise bind any such people to obey and maintain tyrants against God and against his truth known.” quote by John Knox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/547/john-knox-15449_oath_neither-can-oath-nor-promise-bind-any-su_261689.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/547/john-knox-15449_oath_neither-can-oath-nor-promise-bind-any-su_261689.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/547/john-knox-15449_oath_neither-can-oath-nor-promise-bind-any-su_261689.jpg) > “Neither can oath nor promise bind any such people to obey and maintain tyrants against God and against his truth known.” [John Knox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-knox/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. People cannot be forced by oaths or promises to support tyrants; divine truth overrides human coercion. **In simple terms:** Divine truth beats forced loyalty to tyrants. Key Takeaway Prioritize moral truth over imposed authority. Themes faith morality politics authority truth resistance Mood serious inspirational historical Type statement call‑to‑action When to use this quote - religious reform - political activism - ethical decision making - historical analysis Key Concepts theology political philosophy civil disobedience Questions to Reflect On - What moral obligations outweigh legal oaths? - How can individuals safely oppose tyrannical regimes? A Different Perspective May underestimate practical complexities of resisting power. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Oath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/oath/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Promise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/promise/) [Tyrants](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tyrants/) ## Related quotes > [An oath is a promise-and a promise can be made regardless of feeling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-rossi/an-oath-is-a-promise-and-a-promise-can-be-made-regardless-of-feeling/) [Veronica Rossi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-rossi/) > [“HIPPOCRATIC OATH, n. A promise that mainly pleases the prof: “I swear by Apollo Healer, by Asclepius, by Hygieia, by Panacea, and by all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonas-koblin/hippocratic-oath-n-a-promise-that-mainly-pleases-the-prof-i-swear-by/) Jonas Koblin > [Now let's repeat the non-conformists' oath: I promise to be different! I promise to be unique! I promise not to repeat things other people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-martin/now-let-s-repeat-the-non-conformists-oath-i-promise-to-be-different-i/) [Steve Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-martin/) > [The Writer's Oath I promise solemnly: 1. to write as often and as much as I can, 2. to respect my writing self, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carson-levine/the-writer-s-oath-i-promise-solemnly-1-to-write-as-often-and-as-much/) [Gail Carson Levine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carson-levine/) > [Society is well governed when the people obey the magistrates, and the magistrates obey the law](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solon/society-is-well-governed-when-the-people-obey-the-magistrates-and-the/) [Solon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solon/) > [It is a base thing for a man among the people not to obey those in command. Never in a state can the laws…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/it-is-a-base-thing-for-a-man-among-the-people-not-to-obey-those-in/) [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) > [“Some people don't know who they are. Crazy people know exactly who they are. Normal people who obey every rule will never know who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/layne-kares/some-people-don-t-know-who-they-are-crazy-people-know-exactly-who/) Layne Kares > [Society is well governed when its people obey the magistrates, and the magistrates obey the law.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solon/society-is-well-governed-when-its-people-obey-the-magistrates-and-the/) [Solon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solon/) > [It's hard for people who obey and respect the law to keep their heads from exploding in the face of affronts to common sense…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-fitton/it-s-hard-for-people-who-obey-and-respect-the-law-to-keep-their-heads/) [Tom Fitton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-fitton/) > [One of the advantages of having laws is the pleasure one may take in breaking them. We here are not children, Mr. Gurgeh." Hamin…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iain-banks/one-of-the-advantages-of-having-laws-is-the-pleasure-one-may-take-in/) [Iain Banks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iain-banks/) > [“You can force the people to obey; you cannot force them to understand.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/you-can-force-the-people-to-obey-you-cannot-force-them-to-understand/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [HE WHO WANTS TO BECOME A COMMANDER OF MULTITUDES OF PEOPLE SHOULD OBEY A COMMAND](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solomonernefoy/he-who-wants-to-become-a-commander-of-multitudes-of-people-should/) SolomonErnefoy > [“The language of law should be simple and straight, if you expect people to obey it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/the-language-of-law-should-be-simple-and-straight-if-you-expect/) [Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/) > [What you are saying is true of those who want everything to give way to them, nothing to oppose them, everything to go their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vincent-de-paul/what-you-are-saying-is-true-of-those-who-want-everything-to-give-way/) [Vincent de Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vincent-de-paul/) > [The king is as much bound by his oath not to infringe the legal rights of the people, as the people are bound to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-mayhew/the-king-is-as-much-bound-by-his-oath-not-to-infringe-the-legal/) [Jonathan Mayhew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-mayhew/) ## More by John Knox > [“No man is so regenerate, but that continually he has need of the means which Christ Jesus has appointed to be used in his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-knox/no-man-is-so-regenerate-but-that-continually-he-has-need-of-the-means/) [John Knox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-knox/) > [Here lies one who neither flattered nor feared any flesh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-knox/here-lies-one-who-neither-flattered-nor-feared-any-flesh/) [John Knox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-knox/) > [Let no day slip over without some comfort received from the mouth of God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-knox/let-no-day-slip-over-without-some-comfort-received-from-the-mouth-of/) [John Knox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-knox/) > [In youth, in middle age, and now after many battles, I find nothing in me but corruption.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-knox/in-youth-in-middle-age-and-now-after-many-battles-i-find-nothing-in/) [John Knox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-knox/) > [I see the battle shall be great for Satan rageth even to the uttermost and I am come, praise my God even in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-knox/i-see-the-battle-shall-be-great-for-satan-rageth-even-to-the/) [John Knox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-knox/) > [Let a thing here be noted, that the prophet of God sometimes may teach treason against kings, and yet neither he nor such as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-knox/let-a-thing-here-be-noted-that-the-prophet-of-god-sometimes-may-teach/) [John Knox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-knox/) > [No one else holds or has held the place in the heart of the world which Jesus holds. Other gods have been as devoutly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-knox/no-one-else-holds-or-has-held-the-place-in-the-heart-of-the-world/) [John Knox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-knox/) > [A man with God is always in the majority.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-knox/a-man-with-god-is-always-in-the-majority/) [John Knox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-knox/) > [I sought neither preeminence, glory, nor riches; my honor was that Jesus Christ should reign.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-knox/i-sought-neither-preeminence-glory-nor-riches-my-honor-was-that-jesus/) [John Knox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-knox/) > [Resistance to tyranny is obedience to God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-knox/resistance-to-tyranny-is-obedience-to-god/) [John Knox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-knox/) > [Un homme avec Dieu est toujours dans la majorite . One man with God is always a majority.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-knox/un-homme-avec-dieu-est-toujours-dans-la-majorite-one-man-with-god-is/) [John Knox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-knox/) > [Prayer is an earnest and familiar talking with God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-knox/prayer-is-an-earnest-and-familiar-talking-with-god/) [John Knox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-knox/) > [As touching nature I am a worm of this earth, and yet a subject of this commonwealth; but as touching the office wherein it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-knox/as-touching-nature-i-am-a-worm-of-this-earth-and-yet-a-subject-of/) [John Knox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-knox/) > [The Scriptures of God are my only foundation and substance in all matters of weight and importance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-knox/the-scriptures-of-god-are-my-only-foundation-and-substance-in-all/) [John Knox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-knox/) > [As the world is weary of me so am I of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-knox/as-the-world-is-weary-of-me-so-am-i-of-it/) [John Knox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-knox/) [Explore all 43 John Knox quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-knox/) ## More Oath quotes > [A liar freely gives his oath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-malloch/a-liar-freely-gives-his-oath/) [Douglas Malloch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-malloch/) > [You are also asked to take an oath, and that's the oath of service. The oath of service is not to secrecy, but to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-snowden/you-are-also-asked-to-take-an-oath-and-that-s-the-oath-of-service-the/) [Edward Snowden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-snowden/) > [Thousands of Americans have given their lives in Afghanistan and Iraq upholding their oaths and defending this nation. Chelsea Manning broke her oath and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mccain/thousands-of-americans-have-given-their-lives-in-afghanistan-and-iraq/) [John McCain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mccain/) > [And hast thou sworn on every slight pretence, Till perjuries are common as bad pence, While thousands, careless of the damning sin, Kiss the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-cowper/and-hast-thou-sworn-on-every-slight-pretence-till-perjuries-are/) [William Cowper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-cowper/) > [“I am here, forever, to protect you. To help you, to love you. To keep you happy.” It was an oath that every elf…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristina-aziz/i-am-here-forever-to-protect-you-to-help-you-to-love-you-to-keep-you/) Kristina Aziz > [To require a citizen to sign a loyalty oath is to destroy some of the loyalty he could otherwise claim, since any subsequent loyal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/b-f-skinner/to-require-a-citizen-to-sign-a-loyalty-oath-is-to-destroy-some-of-the/) [B. F. Skinner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/b-f-skinner/) > [“Just say, dakhilak.” Without hesitation, “Dakhilak.” He nodded. Her accent was getting no better. “Now, you can never take it back.” “Well, what does…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/v-s-carnes/just-say-dakhilak-without-hesitation-dakhilak-he-nodded-her-accent/) [V.S. Carnes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/v-s-carnes/) > [If I had to describe my remarks this evening frankly as if I were in police court and on oath, so to speak I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robertson-davies/if-i-had-to-describe-my-remarks-this-evening-frankly-as-if-i-were-in/) [Robertson Davies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robertson-davies/) > [Have you ever watched someone become American? Last week, at a national citizenship conference I organize, thirty immigrants from 17 countries swore an oath…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-liu/have-you-ever-watched-someone-become-american-last-week-at-a-national/) [Eric Liu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-liu/) > [“Jer molle pe poner. Enel mordió je nej afval trohem verretn." I have been made to protect you. Only in death will I be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/jer-molle-pe-poner-enel-mordi-je-nej-afval-trohem-verretn-i-have-been/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [By my count, the Deputy Prime Minister has sworn an oath of loyalty and service to Her Majesty no fewer than four times in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elsie-wayne/by-my-count-the-deputy-prime-minister-has-sworn-an-oath-of-loyalty/) Elsie Wayne > [When a man takes an oath... he's holding his own self in his own hands. Like water.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-bolt/when-a-man-takes-an-oath-he-s-holding-his-own-self-in-his-own-hands/) [Robert Bolt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-bolt/) > [The sovereignty of America has just been eroded in plain daylight by Clinton and the Congress, who take an oath to the Constitution. Those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-brown/the-sovereignty-of-america-has-just-been-eroded-in-plain-daylight-by/) [Jerry Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-brown/) > [No love can be bound by oath or covenant to secure it against a higher love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/no-love-can-be-bound-by-oath-or-covenant-to-secure-it-against-a/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [I think the personal satisfaction of doing good in the community and increasing value and holding true to the Hippocratic oath and being able…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raul-ruiz/i-think-the-personal-satisfaction-of-doing-good-in-the-community-and/) [Raul Ruiz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raul-ruiz/) [Browse all 501 Oath quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/oath/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Neither can oath nor promise bind any such people to obey and maintain tyrants against God and against his truth known.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "John Knox" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-knox/neither-can-oath-nor-promise-bind-any-such-people-to-obey-and/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Oath" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-knox/neither-can-oath-nor-promise-bind-any-such-people-to-obey-and/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/547/john-knox-15449_oath_neither-can-oath-nor-promise-bind-any-su_261689.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/547/john-knox-15449_oath_neither-can-oath-nor-promise-bind-any-su_261689.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/547/john-knox-15449_oath_neither-can-oath-nor-promise-bind-any-su_261689.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Neither can oath nor promise bind any such people to obey and maintain tyrants against God and against his…” — John Knox", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "John Knox", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-knox/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Neither can oath nor promise bind...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-knox/neither-can-oath-nor-promise-bind-any-such-people-to-obey-and/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-knox/neither-can-oath-nor-promise-bind-any-such-people-to-obey-and/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```