---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Forget the laws. If the laws don't make…"
description: "\"Forget the laws. If the laws don't make sense, if they run contrary to your conscience, you have to disobey them.\" — Wayne Dyer"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3dc/wayne-dyer-158_conscience_forget-the-laws-if-the-laws-don-t-make-s_2907656.png"
---

#  Forget the laws. If the laws don't make sense, if they run…

![“Forget the laws. If the laws don't make sense, if they run contrary to your conscience, you have to disobey them.” quote by Wayne Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3dc/wayne-dyer-158_conscience_forget-the-laws-if-the-laws-don-t-make-s_2907656.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3dc/wayne-dyer-158_conscience_forget-the-laws-if-the-laws-don-t-make-s_2907656.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3dc/wayne-dyer-158_conscience_forget-the-laws-if-the-laws-don-t-make-s_2907656.png)

> “Forget the laws. If the laws don't make sense, if they run contrary to your conscience, you have to disobey them.”

[Wayne Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-dyer/)

## About This Quote

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

When laws conflict with conscience, one should disobey them, prioritizing personal ethics over unjust rules.

**In simple terms:** Disobey unjust laws that clash with conscience.

Key Takeaway

Follow conscience over unjust law.

Themes

ethics civil disobedience conscience justice

Mood

reflective assertive

Type

philosophical activist

When to use this quote

- activism
- legal reform
- ethical decision‑making
- community organizing
- political protest

Key Concepts

moral philosophy social activism personal integrity

Questions to Reflect On

- When is civil disobedience justified?
- How do you assess personal conscience?

A Different Perspective

Disobedience can lead to legal consequences.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Conscience](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conscience/) [Ethics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ethics/) [Law](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/law/) [Laws](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/laws/) [Running](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/running/)

## Related quotes

> [“My country again! Mr. Wilson, you have a country; but what country have I, or any one like me, born of slave mothers? What…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harriet-beecher-stowe/my-country-again-mr-wilson-you-have-a-country-but-what-country-have-i-2/)

[Harriet Beecher Stowe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harriet-beecher-stowe/)

> [I cannot choose but adhere to the word of God, which has possession of my conscience; nor can I possibly, nor will I even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther/i-cannot-choose-but-adhere-to-the-word-of-god-which-has-possession-of/)

[Martin Luther](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther/)

> [“My country again! Mr. Wilson, you have a country; but what country have I, or any one like me, born of slave mothers? What…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harriet-beecher-stowe/my-country-again-mr-wilson-you-have-a-country-but-what-country-have-i/)

[Harriet Beecher Stowe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harriet-beecher-stowe/)

> [So the question is, First, Whether the civil magistrate hath power to force men in things religious to do contrary to their conscience, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-barclay/so-the-question-is-first-whether-the-civil-magistrate-hath-power-to/)

[Robert Barclay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-barclay/)

> [Congress should not establish a religion, and enforce the legal observation of it by law, nor compel men to worship God in any Manner…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/congress-should-not-establish-a-religion-and-enforce-the-legal/)

[James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-madison/)

> [American laws don't work, but at least the laws of physics might work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gore-vidal/american-laws-don-t-work-but-at-least-the-laws-of-physics-might-work/)

[Gore Vidal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gore-vidal/)

> [It is only when our characters and events begin to disobey us that they begin to live.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-fowles/it-is-only-when-our-characters-and-events-begin-to-disobey-us-that/)

[John Fowles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-fowles/)

> [In war the first principle is to disobey orders. Any fool can obey orders!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-fisher-1st-baron-fisher/in-war-the-first-principle-is-to-disobey-orders-any-fool-can-obey/)

John Fisher, 1st Baron Fisher

> [“Behave," he gritted at her as if he was in control of this, of her, of his own wild response, "and this will be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caitlin-crews/behave-he-gritted-at-her-as-if-he-was-in-control-of-this-of-her-of/)

[Caitlin Crews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caitlin-crews/)

> [If people disobey, don't ask what is wrong with them, ask what's wrong with their leaders.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-gladwell/if-people-disobey-don-t-ask-what-is-wrong-with-them-ask-what-s-wrong/)

[Malcolm Gladwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-gladwell/)

> [“Come here.” She blanched, backing away instead. “Don’t disobey me. I’ve been more than cordial. I’ve been patient and mostly kind. But if you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pepper-winters/come-here-she-blanched-backing-away-instead-don-t-disobey-me-i-ve/)

[Pepper Winters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pepper-winters/)

> [Go, send, or disobey.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-piper/go-send-or-disobey/)

[John Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-piper/)

> [You simply disobey. Peaceably, yes. Respectfully, of course. Nonviolently, absolutely. But when told how to think or what to say or how to behave,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlton-heston/you-simply-disobey-peaceably-yes-respectfully-of-course-nonviolently/)

[Charlton Heston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlton-heston/)

> [If we're being told to do stupid or cruel things, then it is morally correct to disobey.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-firrell/if-we-re-being-told-to-do-stupid-or-cruel-things-then-it-is-morally/)

[Martin Firrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-firrell/)

> [“As the boy looked at it, my thing moved and he whispered "It is splendid! Do let me try its love-making" ... And I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-m-christman/as-the-boy-looked-at-it-my-thing-moved-and-he-whispered-it-is/)

Henry M. Christman

## More by Wayne Dyer

> [Remember that your natural state is joy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-dyer/remember-that-your-natural-state-is-joy/)

[Wayne Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-dyer/)

> [Be in a state of gratitude for everything that shows up in your life. Be thankful for the storms as well as the smooth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-dyer/be-in-a-state-of-gratitude-for-everything-that-shows-up-in-your-life/)

[Wayne Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-dyer/)

> [While the world of reality has its limits, the world of your imagination is without boundaries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-dyer/while-the-world-of-reality-has-its-limits-the-world-of-your/)

[Wayne Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-dyer/)

> [Trusting yourself is trusting the wisdom that created you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-dyer/trusting-yourself-is-trusting-the-wisdom-that-created-you/)

[Wayne Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-dyer/)

> [It's only a thought and a thought can be changed. Choose good ones.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-dyer/it-s-only-a-thought-and-a-thought-can-be-changed-choose-good-ones/)

[Wayne Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-dyer/)

> [When I get on the dance floor, my purpose in being on the dance floor is not to end up at another spot when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-dyer/when-i-get-on-the-dance-floor-my-purpose-in-being-on-the-dance-floor/)

[Wayne Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-dyer/)

> [Everyone in Life does Exactly what they Know How to Do Given the Conditions of their Lives](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-dyer/everyone-in-life-does-exactly-what-they-know-how-to-do-given-the/)

[Wayne Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-dyer/)

> [You can't go around being what everyone wants you to be, living your life through other people's rules, and expect to be happy and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-dyer/you-can-t-go-around-being-what-everyone-wants-you-to-be-living-your/)

[Wayne Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-dyer/)

> [When you have the choice between being right and being kind just choose kind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-dyer/when-you-have-the-choice-between-being-right-and-being-kind-just/)

[Wayne Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-dyer/)

> [If you want to be confident, but don't normally act that way, today, just this once, act in the physical world the way you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-dyer/if-you-want-to-be-confident-but-don-t-normally-act-that-way-today/)

[Wayne Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-dyer/)

> [We make weapons now that, if we ever used them, would kill ourselves. How do you explode a weapon with so much radiation in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-dyer/we-make-weapons-now-that-if-we-ever-used-them-would-kill-ourselves/)

[Wayne Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-dyer/)

> [What you feel is wrong or missing in your relationships is an indication that something is amiss within you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-dyer/what-you-feel-is-wrong-or-missing-in-your-relationships-is-an/)

[Wayne Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-dyer/)

> [The truth is that there is no actual stress or anxiety in the world; it's your thoughts that create these false beliefs. You can't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-dyer/the-truth-is-that-there-is-no-actual-stress-or-anxiety-in-the-world/)

[Wayne Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-dyer/)

> [It is impossible to need excuses when the focus of your life shifts from 'What's in it for me?' to 'How can I serve?'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-dyer/it-is-impossible-to-need-excuses-when-the-focus-of-your-life-shifts/)

[Wayne Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-dyer/)

> [The problem with using force in our lives is that we always create a counterforce. For example, If you're with a child and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-dyer/the-problem-with-using-force-in-our-lives-is-that-we-always-create-a/)

[Wayne Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-dyer/)

[Explore all 1,079 Wayne Dyer quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-dyer/)

## More Conscience quotes

> [Self-respect and a clear conscience are powerful components of integrity and are the basis for enriching your relationships with others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-waitley/self-respect-and-a-clear-conscience-are-powerful-components-of/)

[Denis Waitley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-waitley/)

> [“Knowledge without conscience is but the ruin of the soul.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rabelaise/knowledge-without-conscience-is-but-the-ruin-of-the-soul/)

Rabelaise

> [Writing adds up to the conscience of our times.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-firrell/writing-adds-up-to-the-conscience-of-our-times/)

[Martin Firrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-firrell/)

> [My conscience is really active. So I feel bad about spending excess amount of money on things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/syd/my-conscience-is-really-active-so-i-feel-bad-about-spending-excess/)

[Syd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/syd/)

> [Let us be thankful for health and competence, and, above all, for a quiet conscience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/izaak-walton/let-us-be-thankful-for-health-and-competence-and-above-all-for-a/)

[Izaak Walton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/izaak-walton/)

> [Making money doesn't oblige people to forfeit their honor or their conscience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-de-rothschild/making-money-doesn-t-oblige-people-to-forfeit-their-honor-or-their/)

[Guy de Rothschild](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-de-rothschild/)

> [“If we cannot be happy and powerful and prey on others, we invent conscience and prey on ourselves.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elbert-hubbard/if-we-cannot-be-happy-and-powerful-and-prey-on-others-we-invent/)

[Elbert Hubbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elbert-hubbard/)

> [The God in whose hands are all our days and ways, did cast into my hand one day a book of Martin Luthers; it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bunyan/the-god-in-whose-hands-are-all-our-days-and-ways-did-cast-into-my/)

[John Bunyan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bunyan/)

> [My morals are important to me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-parrish/my-morals-are-important-to-me/)

[Hunter Parrish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-parrish/)

> [Being tolerant does not mean that I share another ones belief. But it does mean that I acknowledge another ones right to believe, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viktor-frankl/being-tolerant-does-not-mean-that-i-share-another-ones-belief-but-it/)

[Viktor Frankl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viktor-frankl/)

> [Never can true courage dwell with them, Who, playing tricks with conscience, dare not look At their own vices.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-taylor-coleridge/never-can-true-courage-dwell-with-them-who-playing-tricks-with/)

[Samuel Taylor Coleridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-taylor-coleridge/)

> [In presenting a mathematical argument the great thing is to give the educated reader the chance to catch on at once to the momentary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-edensor-littlewood/in-presenting-a-mathematical-argument-the-great-thing-is-to-give-the/)

[John Edensor Littlewood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-edensor-littlewood/)

> [I've worked with people who are much further to the left than I am and much further to the right than I am. At…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-hanks/i-ve-worked-with-people-who-are-much-further-to-the-left-than-i-am/)

[Tom Hanks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-hanks/)

> [If all the world hated you and believed you wicked, while your own conscience approved of you and absolved you from guilt, you would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-bronte/if-all-the-world-hated-you-and-believed-you-wicked-while-your-own/)

[Charlotte Bronte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-bronte/)

> [ \[D\]on't grow old. With age comes caution, which is another name for cowardice… Whatever else you do in life, don't cultivate a conscience. Without… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hesketh-pearson/d-on-t-grow-old-with-age-comes-caution-which-is-another-name-for/)

[Hesketh Pearson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hesketh-pearson/)

[Browse all 3,490 Conscience quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conscience/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Forget the laws. If the laws don't make sense, if they run contrary to your conscience, you have to disobey them.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Wayne Dyer"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-dyer/forget-the-laws-if-the-laws-don-t-make-sense-if-they-run-contrary-to/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Conscience"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-dyer/forget-the-laws-if-the-laws-don-t-make-sense-if-they-run-contrary-to/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3dc/wayne-dyer-158_conscience_forget-the-laws-if-the-laws-don-t-make-s_2907656.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3dc/wayne-dyer-158_conscience_forget-the-laws-if-the-laws-don-t-make-s_2907656.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3dc/wayne-dyer-158_conscience_forget-the-laws-if-the-laws-don-t-make-s_2907656.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Forget the laws. If the laws don't make sense, if they run contrary to your conscience, you have to disobey…” — Wayne Dyer",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Wayne Dyer",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-dyer/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Forget the laws. If the laws...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-dyer/forget-the-laws-if-the-laws-don-t-make-sense-if-they-run-contrary-to/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-dyer/forget-the-laws-if-the-laws-don-t-make-sense-if-they-run-contrary-to/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
