Common Quote by Jonathan Mayhew
“Common tyrants, and public oppressors, are not intitled to obedience from their subjects, by virtue of any thing here laid down by the inspired apostle.”
About This Quote
Source Sermon: Sermon on the Duty of Obedience, 1765
Obedience is not a right granted to tyrants; it must be earned by just authority.
In simple terms: Tyrants lack automatic obedience.
Key Takeaway
Demand accountability from leaders.
Themes
politics
ethics
authority
obedience
Mood
critical
determined
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- government
- activism
- citizen rights
- public protest
Key Concepts
social contract
legitimacy
power dynamics
Questions to Reflect On
- What conditions make obedience legitimate?
- How can societies resist unjust authority?
A Different Perspective
Obedience can be coerced, undermining genuine moral authority.
![“Neither Italian fascism nor German national "socialism" have anything in common with such a [Soviet socialistic] society, primarily because private ownership of factories, plants, lands, banks, means of transportation, etc., remain untouched there, and, therefore, capitalism in Germany and Italy…” quote by Joseph Stalin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/411/joseph-stalin-1734_capitalism_neither-italian-fascism-nor-german-natio_1430.jpg)
