--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If any refuse to obey the common laws and…" description: "\"If any refuse to obey the common laws and orders of the ship concerning their common peace or preservation; if any shall mutiny or rise up against thei..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/259/roger-williams-11064_cases_if-any-refuse-to-obey-the-common-laws-an_2528627.png" --- # If any refuse to obey the common laws and orders of the… ![“If any refuse to obey the common laws and orders of the ship concerning their common peace or preservation; if any shall mutiny or rise up against their commanders and officers; if any should preach or write that there should be no commanders or officers because all are equal in Christ, therefore…” quote by Roger Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/259/roger-williams-11064_cases_if-any-refuse-to-obey-the-common-laws-an_2528627.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/259/roger-williams-11064_cases_if-any-refuse-to-obey-the-common-laws-an_2528627.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/259/roger-williams-11064_cases_if-any-refuse-to-obey-the-common-laws-an_2528627.png) > “If any refuse to obey the common laws and orders of the ship concerning their common peace or preservation; if any shall mutiny or rise up against their commanders and officers; if any should preach or write that there should be no commanders or officers because all are equal in Christ, therefore no master or officers, no laws nor orders, nor corrections nor punishments - I say I never denied that in such cases, the commander may judge, resist, compel, and punish such transgressors according to their deserts and merits.” [Roger Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-williams/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Authority must enforce rules to maintain order and protect the community, even against claims of absolute equality. **In simple terms:** Rules protect community safety. Key Takeaway Enforce necessary discipline. Themes authority order community religion equality Mood serious reflective Type ethical theoretical When to use this quote - church governance - military hierarchy - civil obedience - conflict resolution Key Concepts social contract leadership discipline Questions to Reflect On - When is obedience justified? - How balance equality with needed authority? A Different Perspective May suppress individual dissent and lead to abuse of power. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Christ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christ/) [Commanders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/commanders/) [Corrections](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/corrections/) [Desert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/desert/) [Law](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/law/) [Law and order](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/law-and-order/) [Mutiny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mutiny/) [Officers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/officers/) [Order](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/order/) [Peace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/peace/) [Preservation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/preservation/) [Punishment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/punishment/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [“Whatever police the world may prescribe to rule the soul, I refuse to obey them.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bettina-brentano/whatever-police-the-world-may-prescribe-to-rule-the-soul-i-refuse-to/) Bettina Brentano > [“Three things refuse to obey my will: the waters of the Kamo River, the fall of the backgammon dice, and the monks of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shirakawa/three-things-refuse-to-obey-my-will-the-waters-of-the-kamo-river-the/) Shirakawa > [When I refuse to obey an unjust law, I do not contest the right of the majority to command, but I simply appeal from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexis-de-tocqueville/when-i-refuse-to-obey-an-unjust-law-i-do-not-contest-the-right-of-the/) [Alexis de Tocqueville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexis-de-tocqueville/) > [“Do you agree that we should order them back into the house and then scatter these watchers an send them home? 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