# Quotes about obedience

- Quotes: 47
- Authors: 37
- Broader topic: [Quotes about power](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/power.md)
- Topic page: https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/obedience
- JSON version (same data): https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/obedience.json

## Quotes

> Some things are more important than following the rules.
>
> Aren’t they?

[Django Wexler](https://www.leafyquotes.com/django-wexler.md) · [The Forbidden Library](https://www.leafyquotes.com/django-wexler/the-forbidden-library.md) · p. 71 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/django-wexler/the-forbidden-library/some-things-are.md)

Topics: [rebellion](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/rebellion.md), [obedience](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/obedience.md)

> The coup gave them a chance to put into practice what they had learned in their barracks: blind obedience, the use of arms, and other skills that soldiers can master once they silence the scruples of their hearts. (p436)

[Isabel Allende](https://www.leafyquotes.com/isabel-allende.md) · [The House of the Spirits](https://www.leafyquotes.com/isabel-allende/the-house-of-the-spirits.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/isabel-allende/the-house-of-the-spirits/the-coup-gave.md)

Topics: [conscience](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/conscience.md), [obedience](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/obedience.md), [soldiers](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/soldiers.md)

> I want men who, like you, would not take orders even if I should give them. I do not want to be a god, Crag, even though I have some powers beyond mankind’s; I would not let my new world be colonized by people who might even be tempted to obey me.

[Fredric Brown](https://www.leafyquotes.com/fredric-brown.md) · [Rogue in Space](https://www.leafyquotes.com/fredric-brown/rogue-in-space.md) · p. 406 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/fredric-brown/rogue-in-space/i-want-men.md)

Topics: [freedom](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/freedom.md), [obedience](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/obedience.md)

> In history obedience rarely pays; what pays is defiance.

[Roberto Mangabeira Unger](https://www.leafyquotes.com/roberto-mangabeira-unger.md) · [The Left Alternative](https://www.leafyquotes.com/roberto-mangabeira-unger/the-left-alternative.md) · p. 8 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/roberto-mangabeira-unger/the-left-alternative/in-history-obedience.md)

Topics: [history](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/history.md), [rebellion](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/rebellion.md), [obedience](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/obedience.md)

> Anyone who bar-codes their employees isn’t likely to be the forgiving type, and the reflex of long-held obedience through hierarchy is usually enough to overcome fear of a combat death. That’s how you fight wars, after all—with soldiers who are more afraid of stepping out of line than they are of dying on the battlefield.

[Richard Morgan](https://www.leafyquotes.com/richard-morgan.md) · [Altered Carbon](https://www.leafyquotes.com/richard-morgan/altered-carbon.md) · p. 182 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/richard-morgan/altered-carbon/anyone-who-bar-codes.md)

Topics: [war](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/war.md), [obedience](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/obedience.md)

> Even in those days the usual retort of a non-commissioned officer was "You thought? You're not paid to think. You're paid to obey orders" -- a speech which had been endured word for word even down to our day.

[C.S. Forester](https://www.leafyquotes.com/cs-forester.md) · [Death To The French](https://www.leafyquotes.com/cs-forester/death-to-the-french.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/cs-forester/death-to-the-french/even-in-those.md)

Topics: [obedience](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/obedience.md), [soldiers](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/soldiers.md)

> We relinquished our freedom that day, and we were more than happy to see it go. From that moment on we lived in true freedom, the freedom to point to someone else and say “They told me to do it! It’s their fault, not mine.” The freedom, God help us, to say “I was only following orders.”

[Max Brooks](https://www.leafyquotes.com/max-brooks.md) · [World War Z](https://www.leafyquotes.com/max-brooks/world-war-z.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/max-brooks/world-war-z/we-relinquished-our.md)

Topics: [responsibility](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/responsibility.md), [obedience](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/obedience.md)

> There are few things as nauseating as pure obedience.

[Patrick Rothfuss](https://www.leafyquotes.com/patrick-rothfuss.md) · [The Name of the Wind](https://www.leafyquotes.com/patrick-rothfuss/the-name-of-the-wind.md) · p. 593 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/patrick-rothfuss/the-name-of-the-wind/there-are-few.md)

Topics: [obedience](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/obedience.md)

> Our decisions are to a much greater extent dependent on our desire to conform to the standards of our class and environment than we are inclined to admit. A considerable proportion of our reasoning is merely an automatic function, so to speak, of influences and impressions which have become part of us, and anyone who has been brought up from childhood in the stern school of military discipline is particularly apt to succumb to the hypnotic and compulsive force exercised by an order of word of command; a force which is logically entirely incomprehensible and which irresistibly undermines his will. In the straitjacket of a uniform, even though fully aware of their absurdity, an officer will carry out his instructions lie a sleep-walker, unresistingly and almost unconsciously.

[Stefan Zweig](https://www.leafyquotes.com/stefan-zweig.md) · [Beware of Pity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/stefan-zweig/beware-of-pity.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/stefan-zweig/beware-of-pity/our-decisions-are.md)

Topics: [conformity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/conformity.md), [obedience](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/obedience.md)

> “You’ll never get it to follow orders.”
>
> “Slaves follow orders, Colonel. You want something done a slave can’t, you don’t ask for a slave to do it.”

[Gregory Benford](https://www.leafyquotes.com/gregory-benford.md) · [Against Infinity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/gregory-benford/against-infinity.md) · p. 68 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/gregory-benford/against-infinity/youll-never-get.md)

Topics: [slavery](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/slavery.md), [obedience](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/obedience.md)

> Stick to the plan. Not just obey orders. If you were being asked to do something according to a plan, then the way the Culture saw it, you should have had at least some say in what that plan actually was. And if circumstances changed during the course of trying to follow that plan then you were expected to have the initiative and the judgment to alter the plan and act accordingly. You didn’t keep on blindly obeying orders when, due to an alteration in context, the orders were in obvious contradiction to the attainment of whatever goal it was you were pursuing, or when they violated either common sense or common decency. You were still responsible, in other words.

[Iain M. Banks](https://www.leafyquotes.com/iain-m-banks.md) · [Matter](https://www.leafyquotes.com/iain-m-banks/matter.md) · p. 381 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/iain-m-banks/matter/stick-to-the.md)

Topics: [responsibility](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/responsibility.md), [obedience](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/obedience.md)

> “It must be a burden, not even being able to say you were just obeying orders.”
>
> “Well, that is always a lie, or a sign you are fighting for an unworthy cause, or still have a very long way to develop civilisationally.”

[Iain M. Banks](https://www.leafyquotes.com/iain-m-banks.md) · [Look To Windward](https://www.leafyquotes.com/iain-m-banks/look-to-windward.md) · p. 312 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/iain-m-banks/look-to-windward/it-must-be-a-burden.md)

Topics: [responsibility](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/responsibility.md), [obedience](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/obedience.md)

> You can kill me, but you can't make me obey.

[Matthew Stover](https://www.leafyquotes.com/matthew-stover.md) · [Traitor: Star Wars Legends](https://www.leafyquotes.com/matthew-stover/traitor-star-wars-legends.md) · p. 65 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/matthew-stover/traitor-star-wars-legends/you-can-kill.md)

Topics: [freedom](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/freedom.md), [obedience](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/obedience.md)

> "A lot of people never use their initiative because nobody told them to."

[Banksy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/banksy.md) · [Wall and Piece](https://www.leafyquotes.com/banksy/wall-and-piece.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/banksy/wall-and-piece/a-lot-of-people.md)

Topics: [independence](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/independence.md), [obedience](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/obedience.md)

> "The greatest crimes in the world are not committed by people breaking the rules. It's people who follow orders that drop bombs and massacre villages. As a precaution to ever committing major acts of evil it is our solemn duty never to do what we're told, this is the only way we can be sure." (p. 51)

[Banksy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/banksy.md) · [Wall and Piece](https://www.leafyquotes.com/banksy/wall-and-piece.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/banksy/wall-and-piece/the-greatest-crimes.md)

Topics: [war](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/war.md), [evil](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/evil.md), [obedience](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/obedience.md)

> “But it’s not true,” blurted Sam, unable to keep quiet.
>
> “‘What I say ten times is true.’ That’s one of our Proverbs. We teach the young men to fill their heads with such words. Prayers. Chants. Endless circles of noise. The same sounds repeated over and over until they fill the mind. ‘Resolution is the weapon of God; thought is the enemy of resolution; words keep thought out; therefore, learn words,’ say the Scriptures. Even on Manhome, our sons learned words, by rote, to keep them from the dangers of thinking. What God wants followers who think and doubt? The Almighty wants Faithful, who obey!”

[Sheri S. Tepper](https://www.leafyquotes.com/sheri-s-tepper.md) · [Raising The Stones](https://www.leafyquotes.com/sheri-s-tepper/raising-the-stones.md) · p. 390 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/sheri-s-tepper/raising-the-stones/but-its-not.md)

Topics: [thinking](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/thinking.md), [fanaticism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/fanaticism.md), [obedience](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/obedience.md)

> We obey orders, and we don’t ask if the officer is crazy or not!

[Sheri S. Tepper](https://www.leafyquotes.com/sheri-s-tepper.md) · [The Gate to Women’s Country](https://www.leafyquotes.com/sheri-s-tepper/the-gate-to-womens-country.md) · p. 75 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/sheri-s-tepper/the-gate-to-womens-country/we-obey-orders.md)

Topics: [obedience](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/obedience.md), [soldiers](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/soldiers.md)

> Those who keep the masses of men in subjection by exercising force and cruelty deprive them at once of two vital foods, liberty and obedience; for it is no longer within the power of such masses to accord their inner consent to the authority to which they are subjected. Those who encourage a state of things in which the hope of gain is the principal motive take away from men their obedience, for consent which is its essence is not something which can be sold.

[Simone Weil](https://www.leafyquotes.com/simone-weil.md) · [Simone Weil: An Anthology](https://www.leafyquotes.com/simone-weil/simone-weil-an-anthology.md) · p. 97 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/simone-weil/simone-weil-an-anthology/those-who-keep.md)

Topics: [power](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/power.md), [freedom](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/freedom.md), [obedience](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/obedience.md)

> Only two kind of daughters. Those who are obedient and those who follow their own mind! Only one kind of daughter can live in this house. Obedient daughter!

[Amy Tan](https://www.leafyquotes.com/amy-tan.md) · [The Joy Luck Club](https://www.leafyquotes.com/amy-tan/the-joy-luck-club.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/amy-tan/the-joy-luck-club/only-two-kind.md)

Topics: [parents](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/parents.md), [obedience](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/obedience.md)

> No man ruleth safely but that he is willingly ruled.

[Thomas Kempis](https://www.leafyquotes.com/thomas-kempis.md) · [The Imitation of Christ](https://www.leafyquotes.com/thomas-kempis/the-imitation-of-christ.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/thomas-kempis/the-imitation-of-christ/no-man-ruleth.md)

Topics: [power](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/power.md), [obedience](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/obedience.md)

> The case of the conscience of Eichmann, which is admittedly complicated but is by no means unique, is scarcely comparable to the case of the German generals, one of whom, when asked at Nuremberg, "How was it possible that all of you honorable generals could continue to serve a murderer with such unquestioning loyalty?," replied that it was "not the task of a soldier to act as judge over his supreme commander. Let history do that or God in Heaven."

[Hannah Arendt](https://www.leafyquotes.com/hannah-arendt.md) · [Eichmann in Jerusalem](https://www.leafyquotes.com/hannah-arendt/eichmann-in-jerusalem.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/hannah-arendt/eichmann-in-jerusalem/the-case-of-the.md)

Topics: [conscience](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/conscience.md), [obedience](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/obedience.md)

> [Tyranny] becomes superfluous when people no longer need the external force of the tyrant to make them renounce their particular interests, but when they become "universal citizens" by directly identifying the core of their being with this universality - in short, people no longer need the external master when they are educated into doing the job of discipline and subordination themselves.

[Slavoj Žižek](https://www.leafyquotes.com/slavoj-zizek.md) · [Less Than Nothing](https://www.leafyquotes.com/slavoj-zizek/less-than-nothing.md) · p. 198 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/slavoj-zizek/less-than-nothing/tyranny-becomes-superfluous.md)

Topics: [tyranny](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/tyranny.md), [obedience](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/obedience.md)

> You can be as self-assertive as you like, I said, just so long as you do what you're told. (p. 20)

[Terry Pratchett](https://www.leafyquotes.com/terry-pratchett.md) · [Witches Abroad](https://www.leafyquotes.com/terry-pratchett/witches-abroad.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/terry-pratchett/witches-abroad/you-can-be-as-self-assertive.md)

Topics: [humor](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/humor.md), [obedience](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/obedience.md)

> I had not thought, when I began this record of my life, to reveal any of the secrets of our guild [...] But I will tell one now, because what I did that night on Lake Diuturna cannot be understood without understanding it. And the secret is only that we torturers obey. [...] No one truly obeys unless he will do the unthinkable in obedience; no one will do the unthinkable save we.

[Gene Wolfe](https://www.leafyquotes.com/gene-wolfe.md) · [The Sword of the Lictor](https://www.leafyquotes.com/gene-wolfe/the-sword-of-the-lictor.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/gene-wolfe/the-sword-of-the-lictor/i-had-not.md)

Topics: [obedience](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/obedience.md)

> In silence two praetorians (four fluttering sparrows, as it seemed) caught our destriers and led them away. How like us those animals were, walking patiently they knew not where, their massive heads following thin strips of leather. Nine-tenths of life, so it seems to me, consists of these surrenders.

[Gene Wolfe](https://www.leafyquotes.com/gene-wolfe.md) · [The Claw Of The Conciliator](https://www.leafyquotes.com/gene-wolfe/the-claw-of-the-conciliator.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/gene-wolfe/the-claw-of-the-conciliator/in-silence-two.md)

Topics: [life](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/life.md), [obedience](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/obedience.md)

> "I am ready to obey as a child; — but, not being a child, I think I ought to have a reason."

[Anthony Trollope](https://www.leafyquotes.com/anthony-trollope.md) · [The Prime Minister](https://www.leafyquotes.com/anthony-trollope/the-prime-minister.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/anthony-trollope/the-prime-minister/i-am-ready.md)

Topics: [obedience](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/obedience.md)

> The range of socially permissible and desirable satisfaction is greatly enlarged, but through this satisfaction, the Pleasure Principle is reduced—deprived of the claims which are irreconcilable with the established society. Pleasure, thus adjusted, generates submission.

[Herbert Marcuse](https://www.leafyquotes.com/herbert-marcuse.md) · [One-Dimensional Man](https://www.leafyquotes.com/herbert-marcuse/one-dimensional-man.md) · p. 75 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/herbert-marcuse/one-dimensional-man/the-range-of-socially.md)

Topics: [pleasure](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/pleasure.md), [obedience](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/obedience.md)

> The elimination of individual capitalists and the replacement of private capitalism by state capitalism in Russia has not in the least altered the typical helpless and authoritarian character structure of the masses of people.

[Wilhelm Reich](https://www.leafyquotes.com/wilhelm-reich.md) · [The Mass Psychology of Fascism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/wilhelm-reich/the-mass-psychology-of-fascism.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/wilhelm-reich/the-mass-psychology-of-fascism/the-elimination-of-individual.md)

Topics: [obedience](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/obedience.md), [communism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/communism.md)

> What has to be explained is not the fact that the man who is hungry steals or the fact that the man who is exploited strikes, but why the majority of those who are hungry don’t steal and why the majority of those who are exploited don’t strike.

[Wilhelm Reich](https://www.leafyquotes.com/wilhelm-reich.md) · [The Mass Psychology of Fascism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/wilhelm-reich/the-mass-psychology-of-fascism.md) · p. 19 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/wilhelm-reich/the-mass-psychology-of-fascism/what-has-to-be-explained.md)

Topics: [poverty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/poverty.md), [obedience](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/obedience.md)

> “She obeys me, but only because she wants to.”
>
> “It’s the only justification for obedience,” Ged observed.

[Ursula K. Le Guin](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ursula-k-le-guin.md) · [Tehanu](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ursula-k-le-guin/tehanu.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ursula-k-le-guin/tehanu/she-obeys-me-but.md)

Topics: [obedience](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/obedience.md)

> There were rules in the monastery, but the Master always warned against the tyranny of the law.
>
> "Obedience keeps the rules," he would say. "Love knows when to break them."

[Anthony De Mello](https://www.leafyquotes.com/anthony-de-mello.md) · [One Minute Wisdom](https://www.leafyquotes.com/anthony-de-mello/one-minute-wisdom.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/anthony-de-mello/one-minute-wisdom/there-were-rules.md)

Topics: [love](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/love.md), [law](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/law.md), [obedience](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/obedience.md)

> A military hierarchy automatically places a premium on conservative behavior and dull conformance with precedent; it tends to penalize original and imaginative thinking.

[Robert A. Heinlein](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robert-a-heinlein.md) · [Space Cadet](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robert-a-heinlein/space-cadet.md) · p. 101 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robert-a-heinlein/space-cadet/a-military-hierarchy.md)

Topics: [conformity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/conformity.md), [obedience](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/obedience.md)

> If this superstitious fear of Spirits were taken away, and with it, Prognostiques from Dreams, false Prophecies, and many other things depending thereon, by which, crafty ambitious persons abuse the simple people, men would be much more fitted then they are for civill Obedience.

[Thomas Hobbes](https://www.leafyquotes.com/thomas-hobbes.md) · [Leviathan](https://www.leafyquotes.com/thomas-hobbes/leviathan.md) · p. 8 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/thomas-hobbes/leviathan/if-this-superstitious.md)

Topics: [manipulation](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/manipulation.md), [superstitions](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/superstitions.md), [obedience](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/obedience.md)

> The most important message of a crucifix, to me anyway, was how unspeakably cruel supposedly sane human beings can be when under orders from a superior authority.

[Kurt Vonnegut](https://www.leafyquotes.com/kurt-vonnegut.md) · [Hocus Pocus](https://www.leafyquotes.com/kurt-vonnegut/hocus-pocus.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/kurt-vonnegut/hocus-pocus/the-most-important.md)

Topics: [cruelty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/cruelty.md), [obedience](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/obedience.md)

> He was too good a soldier to go around asking questions, trying to round out his knowledge.
>
> A soldier's knowledge wasn't supposed to be round.

[Kurt Vonnegut](https://www.leafyquotes.com/kurt-vonnegut.md) · [The Sirens of Titan](https://www.leafyquotes.com/kurt-vonnegut/the-sirens-of-titan.md) · p. 120 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/kurt-vonnegut/the-sirens-of-titan/he-was-too.md)

Topics: [war](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/war.md), [knowledge](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/knowledge.md), [obedience](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/obedience.md)

> Evidence of submission is displayed by the employee’s going through years depriving himself of his personal freedom for nine hours every day, his ritualistic and punctual arrival at an office, his denying himself his own schedule, and his not having beaten up anyone on the way back home after a bad day. He is an obedient, housebroken dog.

[Nassim Nicholas Taleb](https://www.leafyquotes.com/nassim-nicholas-taleb.md) · [Skin in the Game](https://www.leafyquotes.com/nassim-nicholas-taleb/skin-in-the-game.md) · p. 98 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/nassim-nicholas-taleb/skin-in-the-game/evidence-of-submission.md)

Topics: [freedom](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/freedom.md), [work](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/work.md), [obedience](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/obedience.md)

> Now these are the Laws of the jungle, and many and mighty are they;
>
> But the head and the hoof of the Law and the haunch and the hump is—Obey!

[Rudyard Kipling](https://www.leafyquotes.com/rudyard-kipling.md) · [The Second Jungle Book](https://www.leafyquotes.com/rudyard-kipling/the-second-jungle-book.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/rudyard-kipling/the-second-jungle-book/now-these-are.md)

Topics: [law](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/law.md), [obedience](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/obedience.md)

> A real subjection is born mechanically from a fictitious relation. So it is not necessary to use force to constrain the convict to good behavior, the madman to calm, the worker to work, the schoolboy to application, the patient to the observation of the regulations

[Michel Foucault](https://www.leafyquotes.com/michel-foucault.md) · [Discipline and Punish](https://www.leafyquotes.com/michel-foucault/discipline-and-punish.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/michel-foucault/discipline-and-punish/a-real-subjection.md)

Topics: [power](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/power.md), [obedience](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/obedience.md)

> The chief function of the disciplinary power is to 'train', rather than to select and to levy; or, no doubt, to train in order to levy and select all the more. It does not link forces together in order to reduce them; it seeks to bind them together in such a way as to multiply and use them

[Michel Foucault](https://www.leafyquotes.com/michel-foucault.md) · [Discipline and Punish](https://www.leafyquotes.com/michel-foucault/discipline-and-punish.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/michel-foucault/discipline-and-punish/the-chief-function.md)

Topics: [power](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/power.md), [obedience](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/obedience.md)

> If a father commands a son to commit a crime so terrible that the son can't do it and live with himself, then is it betrayal for the son to disobey his father?

[Orson Scott Card](https://www.leafyquotes.com/orson-scott-card.md) · [Earthborn](https://www.leafyquotes.com/orson-scott-card/earthborn.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/orson-scott-card/earthborn/if-a-father.md)

Topics: [crime](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/crime.md), [father](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/father.md), [obedience](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/obedience.md)

> The law was sacred. Yes, but rebellion might be sacred too. It flashed upon her mind that the problem before her was essentially the same as that which had lain before Savonarola—the problem where the sacredness of obedience ended, and where the sacredness of rebellion began.

[George Eliot](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-eliot.md) · [Romola](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-eliot/romola.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-eliot/romola/the-law-was.md)

Topics: [law](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/law.md), [rebellion](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/rebellion.md), [obedience](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/obedience.md)

> This habitual restraint produces a docility which woman requires all her life long, for she will always be in subjection to a man, or to man's judgment, and she will never be free to set her own opinion above his. What is most wanted in a woman is gentleness; formed to obey a creature so imperfect as man, a creature often vicious and always faulty, she should early learn to submit to injustice and to suffer the wrongs inflicted on her by her husband without complaint; she must be gentle for her own sake, not his. Bitterness and obstinacy only multiply the sufferings of the wife and the misdeeds of the husband; the man feels that these are not the weapons to be used against him. Heaven did not make women attractive and persuasive that they might degenerate into bitterness, or meek that they should desire the mastery; their soft voice was not meant for hard words, nor their delicate features for the frowns of anger. When they lose their temper they forget themselves; often enough they have just cause of complaint; but when they scold they always put themselves in the wrong. We should each adopt the tone which befits our sex; a soft-hearted husband may make an overbearing wife, but a man, unless he is a perfect monster, will sooner or later yield to his wife's gentleness, and the victory will be hers.

[Jean Jacques Rousseau](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-jacques-rousseau.md) · [Emile; or On Education](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-jacques-rousseau/emile-or-on-education.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-jacques-rousseau/emile-or-on-education/this-habitual-restraint.md)

Topics: [women](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/women.md), [marriage](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/marriage.md), [obedience](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/obedience.md)

> In a word, she endures patiently the wrong-doing of others, and she is eager to atone for her own. This amiability is natural to her sex when unspoiled. Woman is made to submit to man and to endure even injustice at his hands. You will never bring young lads to this; their feelings rise in revolt against injustice; nature has not fitted them to put up with it.

[Jean Jacques Rousseau](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-jacques-rousseau.md) · [Emile; or On Education](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-jacques-rousseau/emile-or-on-education.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-jacques-rousseau/emile-or-on-education/in-a-word.md)

Topics: [women](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/women.md), [obedience](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/obedience.md)

> You do not think that Emile, at twenty, can possibly be docile. How differently we think! I cannot understand how he could be docile at ten, for what hold have I on him at that age? It took me fifteen years of careful preparation to secure that hold. I was not educating him, but preparing him for education. He is now sufficiently educated to be docile; he recognises the voice of friendship and he knows how to obey reason. It is true I allow him a show of freedom, but he was never more completely under control, because he obeys of his own free will. So long as I could not get the mastery over his will, I retained my control over his person; I never left him for a moment. Now I sometimes leave him to himself because I control him continually.

[Jean Jacques Rousseau](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-jacques-rousseau.md) · [Emile; or On Education](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-jacques-rousseau/emile-or-on-education.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-jacques-rousseau/emile-or-on-education/you-do-not.md)

Topics: [freedom](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/freedom.md), [upbringing](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/upbringing.md), [obedience](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/obedience.md)

> He who feels the need of help from others, he who is constantly experiencing their kindness, has nothing to gain by deceiving them; it is plainly to his advantage that they should see things as they are, lest they should mistake his interests. It is therefore plain that lying with regard to actual facts is not natural to children, but lying is made necessary by the law of obedience; since obedience is disagreeable, children disobey as far as they can in secret, and the present good of avoiding punishment or reproof outweighs the remoter good of speaking the truth. Under a free and natural education why should your child lie? What has he to conceal from you? You do not thwart him, you do not punish him, you demand nothing from him. Why should he not tell everything to you as simply as to his little playmate?
>
> Children's lies are therefore entirely the work of their teachers, and to teach them to speak the truth is nothing less than to teach them the art of lying. In your zeal to rule, control, and teach them, you never find sufficient means at your disposal. You wish to gain fresh influence over their minds by baseless maxims, by unreasonable precepts; and you would rather they knew their lessons and told lies, than leave them ignorant and truthful.

[Jean Jacques Rousseau](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-jacques-rousseau.md) · [Emile; or On Education](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-jacques-rousseau/emile-or-on-education.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-jacques-rousseau/emile-or-on-education/he-who-feels.md)

Topics: [lies](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/lies.md), [children](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/children.md), [obedience](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/obedience.md)

> The real sin — perhaps it is a sin against the Holy Ghost for which there is no remission — is the sin of heresy, the sin of thinking for oneself. The saying has been heard before now, here in Spain, that to be a liberal — that is, a heretic — is worse than being an assassin, a thief, or an adulterer. The gravest sin is not to obey the Church, whose infallibility protects us from reason.

[Miguel de Unamuno](https://www.leafyquotes.com/miguel-de-unamuno.md) · [Tragic Sense of Life](https://www.leafyquotes.com/miguel-de-unamuno/tragic-sense-of-life.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/miguel-de-unamuno/tragic-sense-of-life/the-real-sin.md)

Topics: [sin](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/sin.md), [obedience](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/obedience.md), [the church](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/the-church.md)

> How easy it all was! Only surrender, and everything else followed. It was like swimming against a current that swept you backwards however hard you struggled, and then suddenly deciding to turn round and go with the current instead of opposing it. Nothing had changed except your own attitude: the predestined thing happened in any case. He hardly knew why he had ever rebelled.

[George Orwell](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-orwell.md) · [Nineteen Eighty-Four](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-orwell/nineteen-eighty-four.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-orwell/nineteen-eighty-four/how-easy-it-all.md)

Topics: [acceptance](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/acceptance.md), [rebellion](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/rebellion.md), [obedience](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/obedience.md)