Rebellion to tyrants is obedience to God.
—Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826) American Head of State, Lawyer
There was a time when we expected nothing of our children but obedience, as opposed to the present, when we expect everything of them but obedience.
—Anatole Broyard (1920–90) American Literary Critic
Obedience is the mother of success and is wedded to safety.
—Aeschylus (525–456 BCE) Greek Playwright
Obedience is a word and concept from which the valiant look for their deliverance.
—Unknown
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
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
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
Whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
The reason why men do not obey us is because they see the mud at the bottom of our eye.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
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
Every great person has first learned how to obey, whom to obey, and when to obey.
—William Arthur Ward (1921–94) American Author
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
Wicked men obey from fear; good men, from love.
—Aristotle (384BCE–322BCE) Ancient Greek Philosopher, Scholar
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
Obedience without faith is possible, but not faith without obedience.
—Unknown
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
Justice is the insurance we have on our lives and property, and obedience is the premium we pay for it.
—William Penn (1644–1718) American Entrepreneur, Philosopher, Political Leader
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
Only he who believes is obedient and only he who is obedient believes.
—Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906–45) German Lutheran Pastor, Theologian
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
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
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
Liberty is obedience to the law which one has laid down for oneself.
—Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712–78) Swiss-born French Philosopher
Obedience to truth known, is the king’s highway to that which is still beyond us.
—Aeschylus (525–456 BCE) Greek Playwright
Obedience is not truly performed by the body, if the heart is dissatisfied.
—Sa’Di (Musharrif Od-Din Muslih Od-Din) (c.1213–91) Persian Poet
God seeks comrades and claims love, the Devil seeks slaves and claims obedience.
—Rabindranath Tagore (1861–1941) Bengali Poet, Polymath
Only a philosophy of eternity, in the world today, could justify non-violence.
—Albert Camus (1913–60) Algerian-born French Philosopher, Dramatist, Novelist
Obey something, and you will have a chance to learn what is best to obey. But if you begin by obeying nothing, you will end by obeying the devil and all his invited friends.
—John Ruskin (1819–1900) English Writer, Art Critic
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
Obedience sums up our entire duty.
—Hosea Ballou (1771–1852) American Theologian
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