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.'
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Rules are useful, but love may dictate breaking them when they become tyrannical.
- In plain terms
- Obedience follows rules; love knows when to break them.
- What can you take from it?
- Balance respect for rules with compassionate judgment.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- When should love override a rule?
- How do you decide which rules are tyrannical?
Another view
Risk of subjective justification for breaking rules.
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