Authority Quote by Pope Pius XI
“Justice requires that to lawfully constituted Authority there be given that respect and obedience which is its due; that the laws which are made shall be in wise conformity with the common good; and that, as a matter of conscience all men shall render obedience to these laws.”
About This Quote
Source Encyclical: Quadragesimo Anno, 1931
Lawful authority must be respected, but its laws should serve the common good and be obeyed in conscience.
In simple terms: Respect authority only when it serves the common good.
Key Takeaway
Align obedience with moral conscience.
Themes
law
morality
common good
authority
conscience
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
ethical
political
When to use this quote
- political leadership
- public policy
- community decision‑making
Key Concepts
social contract
ethical governance
civic duty
Questions to Reflect On
- When do laws conflict with personal conscience?
- How can citizens hold authority accountable?
A Different Perspective
Authority can be unjust; blind obedience may harm society.
![“The rationale which accompanies that imposition of male authority euphemistically referred to as 'the battle of the sexes' bears a certain resemblance to the formulas of nations at war, where any heinousness is justified on the grounds that the enemy is either an inferior [part of the] species or…” quote by Kate Millett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/895/kate-millett-7301_accompany_the-rationale-which-accompanies-that-imp_8896.jpg)