--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The power of citizenship as a shield…" description: "\"The power of citizenship as a shield against oppression was widely known from the example of Paul 's Roman citizenship, which sent the centurion scurry..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/464/robert-h-jackson-10128_centurions_the-power-of-citizenship-as-a-shield-aga_2103223.jpg" --- # The power of citizenship as a shield against oppression… ![“The power of citizenship as a shield against oppression was widely known from the example of Paul 's Roman citizenship, which sent the centurion scurrying to his higher-ups with the message: "Take heed what thou doest: for this man is a Roman".” quote by Robert H. Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/464/robert-h-jackson-10128_centurions_the-power-of-citizenship-as-a-shield-aga_2103223.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/464/robert-h-jackson-10128_centurions_the-power-of-citizenship-as-a-shield-aga_2103223.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/464/robert-h-jackson-10128_centurions_the-power-of-citizenship-as-a-shield-aga_2103223.jpg) > “The power of citizenship as a shield against oppression was widely known from the example of Paul 's Roman citizenship, which sent the centurion scurrying to his higher-ups with the message: "Take heed what thou doest: for this man is a Roman".” [Robert H. Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-h-jackson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Citizenship can protect individuals from oppression, as shown by Roman law protecting Paul. **In simple terms:** Legal status can serve as a shield against abuse. Key Takeaway Know and assert your legal rights. Themes law justice rights protection Mood serious hopeful Type legal historical When to use this quote - courtroom defense - civil rights activism - immigration law - human rights advocacy Key Concepts citizenship legal immunity historical precedent Questions to Reflect On - How does modern citizenship protect against oppression? - What are limits of legal shields? A Different Perspective Legal protection may not apply equally to all contexts. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Centurions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/centurions/) [Citizenship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/citizenship/) [Citizenship Sent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/citizenship-sent-4211439/) [Citizenship Shield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/citizenship-shield-4211437/) [Example](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/example/) [Heed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heed/) [Higher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/higher/) [Known](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/known/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Messages](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/messages/) [Oppression](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/oppression/) [Power Citizenship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/power-citizenship-4211438/) [Roman Citizenship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/roman-citizenship-442476/) [Shields](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shields/) ## Related quotes > [“Saint Paul was proud of his Roman citizenship, and his letter to various Christian communities in the empire presupposed an effective communications system that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-f-cantor/saint-paul-was-proud-of-his-roman-citizenship-and-his-letter-to/) [Norman F. Cantor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-f-cantor/) > [Carl Furillo was pure ballplayer. In his prime he stood six feet tall and weighed 190 pounds and there was a fluidity to his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-kahn/carl-furillo-was-pure-ballplayer-in-his-prime-he-stood-six-feet-tall/) [Roger Kahn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-kahn/) > [No," Frank said. "I'm only a centurion." Jason cursed in Latin. "He means he can't control a whole legion. He's not of high enough…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/no-frank-said-i-m-only-a-centurion-jason-cursed-in-latin-he-means-he/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [“But many details were considered too small and mundane for the Centurions' purposes. 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They…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/polybius/they-want-the-centurions-not-so-much-to-be-venturesome-and-daredevils/) [Polybius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/polybius/) > [Esca tossed the slender papyrus roll onto the cot, and set his own hands over Marcus's. "I have not served the Centurion because I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosemary-sutcliff/esca-tossed-the-slender-papyrus-roll-onto-the-cot-and-set-his-own/) [Rosemary Sutcliff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosemary-sutcliff/) > [“Julius waited stone-faced as the other centurions scattered to their centuries, eager to make sure their men were ready for a forced march, none…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-riches/julius-waited-stone-faced-as-the-other-centurions-scattered-to-their/) [Anthony Riches](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-riches/) > [Seek ye counsel of the aged for their eyes have looked on the faces of the years and their ears have hardened to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/seek-ye-counsel-of-the-aged-for-their-eyes-have-looked-on-the-faces/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) > [Pay no heed to the passing religious vogue. Go back to the grass roots. Open your hearts and search the Scriptures. Bear your cross,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/pay-no-heed-to-the-passing-religious-vogue-go-back-to-the-grass-roots/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [When you heed the calling of your heart, you are following your purpose. Having purpose in your life gives you the courage to do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rhonda-britten/when-you-heed-the-calling-of-your-heart-you-are-following-your/) [Rhonda Britten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rhonda-britten/) ## More by Robert H. Jackson > [“The German organized plundering, planned it, disciplined it, and made it official just as he organized everything else, and then he compiled the most…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-h-jackson/the-german-organized-plundering-planned-it-disciplined-it-and-made-it/) [Robert H. Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-h-jackson/) > [Reversal by a higher court is not proof that justice is thereby better done. 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Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-h-jackson/) > [Had the jury convicted on proper instructions it would be the end of the matter. But juries are not bound by what seems inescapable…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-h-jackson/had-the-jury-convicted-on-proper-instructions-it-would-be-the-end-of/) [Robert H. Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-h-jackson/) > [I used to say that, as Solicitor General, I made three arguments of every case. First came the one that I planned-as I thought,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-h-jackson/i-used-to-say-that-as-solicitor-general-i-made-three-arguments-of/) [Robert H. Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-h-jackson/) > [I cannot say that our country could have no secret police without becoming totalitarian, but I can say with great conviction that it cannot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-h-jackson/i-cannot-say-that-our-country-could-have-no-secret-police-without/) [Robert H. 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Jackson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-h-jackson/) ## More Centurions quotes > [“Julius waited stone-faced as the other centurions scattered to their centuries, eager to make sure their men were ready for a forced march, none…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-riches/julius-waited-stone-faced-as-the-other-centurions-scattered-to-their/) [Anthony Riches](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-riches/) > [Esca tossed the slender papyrus roll onto the cot, and set his own hands over Marcus's. "I have not served the Centurion because I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosemary-sutcliff/esca-tossed-the-slender-papyrus-roll-onto-the-cot-and-set-his-own/) [Rosemary Sutcliff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosemary-sutcliff/) > [“They want the centurions not so much to be venturesome and daredevils, as to be natural leaders, of a steady and reliable spirit. They…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/polybius/they-want-the-centurions-not-so-much-to-be-venturesome-and-daredevils/) [Polybius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/polybius/) > [Film rights were in the offing for 'The Onion Field,' eventually made into a movie in 1979; 'The New Centurions' became a 1972 film…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-weinman/film-rights-were-in-the-offing-for-the-onion-field-eventually-made/) [Sarah Weinman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-weinman/) > [The young Centurion, who had been completely still throughout, said very softly, as though to himself, "Greater love hath no man--" and Justin thought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosemary-sutcliff/the-young-centurion-who-had-been-completely-still-throughout-said/) [Rosemary Sutcliff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosemary-sutcliff/) > [In a word, we are like the servants of the centurion in the Gospel with regard to the bishops, insofar as when they say…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vincent-de-paul/in-a-word-we-are-like-the-servants-of-the-centurion-in-the-gospel/) [Vincent de Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vincent-de-paul/) > [If the people of God were to transform the world through fascination, these amazing teachings had to work at the center of these peculiar…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shane-claiborne/if-the-people-of-god-were-to-transform-the-world-through-fascination/) [Shane Claiborne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shane-claiborne/) > [ "Centurion" is probably one of my favorites \[of RZA Day \]. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/earl-sweatshirt/centurion-is-probably-one-of-my-favorites-of-rza-day/) [Earl Sweatshirt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/earl-sweatshirt/) > [“But many details were considered too small and mundane for the Centurions' purposes. 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