Civil Disobedience - Key Points

The belief that the best government is the one that interferes the least in people's lives.

A government that does not interfere at all in the lives of individuals.

A temporary solution or a way to address a problem.

A standing army is a permanent military force maintained by a state.

A permanent governing system, like a government or a monarchy.

The belief that individuals should prioritize their own moral compass over obeying laws that conflict with their conscience.

The act of using a formal system, like a government, for personal gain or to achieve specific goals.

The idea that individuals should focus on doing what they believe is right, rather than blindly obeying laws.

A corporation, regardless of its members' individual morals, inherently lacks a conscience.

The law itself doesn't make people more just. Respect for the law can lead to injustice when good people follow harmful laws.

Blindly following laws can lead to people acting against their will and conscience. This situation is like soldiers going to war against their own beliefs.

Many citizens serve the state as machines, acting without independent judgment or moral sense. They are like tools or objects rather than individuals.

People who serve the state primarily with their minds, like politicians and officials, may unwittingly serve evil forces if they lack a moral compass.

True heroes, patriots, and reformers act with their conscience and may find themselves resisting the state.

The author argues that we shouldn't just passively obey unjust laws. We should actively try to fix them or break them if necessary.

Instead of waiting for a majority to change unjust laws, we should act immediately, even if the consequences are difficult.

The government often makes the remedy for injustice worse. It should foster dissent and welcome criticism.

The author suggests that we shouldn't compromise our principles by participating in unjust acts. We should act as a counterforce to stop injustice.

The author uses paying taxes as an example of directly confronting the government's unjust actions.

The author emphasizes that we should interact with individuals who are agents of the state, challenging their conscience and forcing them to make moral choices.

The author believes that even one person acting on their principles can make a significant difference in fighting injustice.

The author criticizes the tendency to talk about reform without taking action. He believes that action speaks louder than words.

In a government that imprisons the just, the rightful place for those seeking justice is also in prison.

A peaceful and non-violent way to challenge authority by refusing to cooperate with unjust laws or policies.

A person who actively refuses to obey unjust laws or policies.

The belief that individuals should act in a way that is in their best interest, even if it means breaking the law.

The idea that the most important thing is to be true to oneself and follow one's own conscience.

The idea that a government's power comes from the consent of the governed, and that people have the right to resist unjust or tyrannical rule.

The belief that individuals should not be forced to follow laws that violate their conscience.

The idea that individuals should act in accordance with their own moral principles, even if it means breaking the law.

A peaceful and non-violent protest. Individuals might refuse to pay taxes, participate in elections, or comply with unjust laws. It is a form of resistance against an unjust government, rooted in moral principles. Proponents believe that the state relies on the cooperation of its citizens and can be challenged through non-violent means.