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About this quote

What does it mean?
A man must sometimes refuse to obey a leader when doing so conflicts with his own conscience.
In plain terms
Sometimes you must disobey a leader to stay true to your conscience.
What can you take from it?
Prioritize personal conscience over blind obedience.

Where it applies

  • ethical dilemmas
  • political decisions

Putting it to work

  • set personal ethical standards
  • encourage critical thinking

Questions to consider

  • When is it justified to defy authority?
  • How can one balance loyalty and conscience?

Another view

Refusing authority can have serious personal or legal consequences.

More from Hartley Shawcross

  1. We are the masters at the moment and shall be for some considerable time.

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  2. Let us not foist this humbug on the world.

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  3. All my moves were designed to promote the happiness and wellbeing of my family, rather than fame.

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