Obedience, as it regards the social relations, the rules of society, and the laws of nature and nature’s God, should commence at the cradle and end only at the tomb.
—Hosea Ballou (1771–1852) American Theologian
How will you find good? It is not a thing of choice; it is a river that flows from the foot of the invisible throne, and flows by the path of obedience.
—George Eliot (Mary Anne Evans) (1819–80) English Novelist
The first law that ever God gave to man, was a law of obedience; it was a commandment pure and simple, wherein man had nothing to inquire after or to dispute, for as much as to obey is the proper office of a rational soul acknowledging a heavenly superior and benefactor.—From obedience and submission spring all other virtues, as all sin does from self-opinion and self-will.
—Michel de Montaigne (1533–92) French Essayist
Let the ground of all religious actions be obedience; examine not why it is commanded, but observe it because it is commanded. True obedience neither procrastinates nor questions.
—Francis Quarles (1592–1644) English Religious Poet
A true military officer is in one particular like a true monk. Not with more self-abnegation will the latter keep his vows of monastic obedience than the former his vows of allegiance to martial duty.
—Herman Melville (1819–91) American Novelist, Short Story Writer, Essayist, Poet
Every great person has first learned how to obey, whom to obey, and when to obey.
—William Arthur Ward (1921–94) American Author
Rebellion to tyrants is obedience to God.
—Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826) American Head of State, Lawyer
No one doth safely rule but he that hath learned gladly to obey.
—Thomas a Kempis (1379–1471) German Religious Priest, Writer
The people in power will not disappear voluntarily, giving flowers to the cops just isn’t going to work. This thinking is fostered by the establishment; they like nothing better than love and nonviolence. The only way I like to see cops given flowers is in a flower pot from a high window.
—William S. Burroughs (1914–97) American Novelist, Poet, Short Story Writer, Painter
There can be a true grandeur in any degree of submissiveness, because it springs from loyalty to the laws and to an oath, and not from baseness of soul.
—Simone Weil (1909–1943) French Philosopher, Political Activist
To obey God in some things, and not in others, shows an unsound heart.—Childlike obedience moves toward even command of God, as the needle points where the loadstone draws.
—Thomas J. Watson, Sr. (1874–1956) American Business Executive
Obedience is better than sacrifice.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
It is right that what is just should be obeyed. It is necessary that what is strongest should be obeyed.
—Blaise Pascal (1623–62) French Mathematician, Physicist, Theologian
Obedience is, indeed, founded on a kind of freedom, else it would become mere subjugation, but that freedom is only granted that obedience may be more perfect; and thus while a measure of license is necessary to exhibit the individual energies of things, the fairness and pleasantness and perfection of them all consist in their restraint.
—John Ruskin (1819–1900) English Writer, Art Critic
Disobedience, in the eyes of any one who has read history, is man’s original virtue. It is through disobedience that progress has been made, through disobedience and through rebellion.
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish Poet, Playwright
I am told so many ill things of a man, and I see so few in him, that I began to suspect he has a real but troublesome merit, as being likely too eclipse that of others.
—Jean de La Bruyere (1645–96) French Satiric Moralist, Author
Obedience is our universal duty and destiny; wherein whoso will not bend must break; too early and too thoroughly we cannot be trained to know that “would,” in this world of ours, is a mere zero to “should,” and for most part as the smallest of fractions even to “shall.”
—Thomas Carlyle (1795–1881) Scottish Historian, Essayist
Those who know the least obey the best.
—George Farquhar (1677–1707) Irish Dramatist
It is vain thought to flee from the work that God appoints us, for the sake of finding a greater blessing, instead of seeking it where alone it is to be found—in loving obedience.
—George Eliot (Mary Anne Evans) (1819–80) English Novelist
Non-violence is not a garment to be put on and off at will. Its seat is in the heart, and it must be inseparable part of our very being.
—Mohandas K. Gandhi (1869–1948) Indian Hindu Political leader
Thirty years of our Lord’s life are hidden in these words of the gospel: “He was subject unto them.”
—Jacques-Benigne Bossuet (1627–1704) French Churchman, Pulpit Orator
The only thing that’s been a worse flop than the organization of non-violence has been the organization of violence.
—Joan Baez (b.1941) American Singer, Songwriter, Activist
It is my contention that civil disobediences are nothing but the latest form of voluntary association, and that they are thus quite in tune with the oldest traditions of the country.
—Hannah Arendt (1906–75) German-American Philosopher, Political Theorist
Unwavering obedience to the true principals we learn will assure us spiritual survival.
—Unknown
It is foolish to strive with what we cannot avoid; we are born subjects, and to obey God is perfect liberty; he that does this, shall be free, safe, and quiet; all his actions shall succeed to his wishes.
—Seneca the Younger (Lucius Annaeus Seneca) (c.4 BCE–65 CE) Roman Stoic Philosopher, Statesman, Tragedian
Nonviolence is a flop. The only bigger flop is violence.
—Joan Baez (b.1941) American Singer, Songwriter, Activist
The joy of youth is to disobey; but the trouble is that there are no longer any orders.
—Jean Cocteau (1889–1963) French Poet, Playwright, Film Director
Only he who believes is obedient and only he who is obedient believes.
—Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906–45) German Lutheran Pastor, Theologian
The strongest is never strong enough to be always the master, unless he transforms strength into right, and obedience into duty.
—Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712–78) Swiss-born French Philosopher
I find the doing of the will of God leaves me no time for disputing about His plans.
—George MacDonald (1824–1905) Scottish Novelist, Lecturer, Poet
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