Government Quote by John Stuart Mill
“In its narrowest acceptation, order means obedience. A government is said to preserve order if it succeeds in getting itself obeyed.”
About This Quote
Order is defined as obedience; a government maintains order by ensuring its own directives are followed, equating stability with compliance.
In simple terms: Order means obedience; government keeps order by being obeyed.
Key Takeaway
Question the balance between order and freedom.
Themes
politics
philosophy
government
authority
obedience
Mood
critical
analytical
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- policy drafting
- legal debates
- civic education
- historical analysis
Key Concepts
social contract theory
political legitimacy
civil obedience
Questions to Reflect On
- When does obedience become harmful?
- How can societies balance order with liberty?
A Different Perspective
Equating order solely with obedience can suppress dissent and hinder progress.
![“[For people] to refuse a hearing to an opinion, because they are sure that it is false, is to assume that their certainty is the same thing as absolute certainty. All silencing of discussion is an assumption of infallibility.” quote by John Stuart Mill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c53/john-stuart-mill-477_doubt_for-people-to-refuse-a-hearing-to-an-opi_63929.jpg)
