---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We owe subjection and obedience to all…"
description: "\"We owe subjection and obedience to all our kings, whether good or bad, alike, for that has respect unto their office; but as to esteem and affection, t..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b45/michel-de-montaigne-142_affection_we-owe-subjection-and-obedience-to-all-o_669709.jpg"
---

#  We owe subjection and obedience to all our kings, whether…

![“We owe subjection and obedience to all our kings, whether good or bad, alike, for that has respect unto their office; but as to esteem and affection, these are only due to their virtue.” quote by Michel de Montaigne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b45/michel-de-montaigne-142_affection_we-owe-subjection-and-obedience-to-all-o_669709.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b45/michel-de-montaigne-142_affection_we-owe-subjection-and-obedience-to-all-o_669709.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b45/michel-de-montaigne-142_affection_we-owe-subjection-and-obedience-to-all-o_669709.jpg)

> “We owe subjection and obedience to all our kings, whether good or bad, alike, for that has respect unto their office; but as to esteem and affection, these are only due to their virtue.”

[Michel de Montaigne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-de-montaigne/)

## About This Quote

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

Obedience to authority is due, but affection only for virtue.

**In simple terms:** Respect office, love virtue.

Key Takeaway

Distinguish duty from affection.

Themes

politics ethics leadership

Mood

critical thoughtful

Type

philosophical political

When to use this quote

- government service
- military command
- public office

Key Concepts

Authority virtue respect

Questions to Reflect On

- How to balance loyalty and moral judgment?
- When is it right to dissent?

A Different Perspective

Blind obedience can enable tyranny.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Affection](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/affection/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Esteem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/esteem/) [Kings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kings/) [Obedience](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/obedience/) [Office](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/office/) [Respect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/respect/) [Rulers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rulers/) [Subjection](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/subjection/) [Virtue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/virtue/)

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## More by Michel de Montaigne

> [No man is exempt from saying silly things; the mischief is to say them deliberately.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-de-montaigne/no-man-is-exempt-from-saying-silly-things-the-mischief-is-to-say-them/)

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