Civil disobedience Quote by Mahatma Gandhi
“Civil disobedience presupposes willing obedience of our self-imposed rules, and without it civil disobedience would be a cruel joke.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Civil Disobedience, 1942
Civil disobedience works only when it respects the moral authority of the law it opposes; otherwise it becomes meaningless.
In simple terms: Respectful defiance is essential.
Challenge unjust laws while maintaining ethical integrity.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- protest movements
- legal reforms
- social activism
- educational debates
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- When is it justified to break a law?
- How can protest remain constructive?
Balancing respect for law with moral opposition can be complex.