Henry David Thoreau Quotations: Higher Law
We, too, are out, obeying the same law with all nature. Not less important are the observers of the birds than the birds themselves.—Journal, 20 March 1858
What force has a multitude? They only can force me who obey a higher law than I.—"Resistance to Civil Government"
What is wanted is men of principle, who recognize a higher law than the decision of the majority. The marines and the militia whose bodies were used lately were not men of sense nor of principle; in a high moral sense they were not men at all.—Journal, 9 June 1854
What is wanted is men, not of policy, but of probity—who recognize a higher law than the Constitution, or the decision of the majority.—"Slavery in Massachusetts"
Whoever has discerned truth, has received his commission from a higher source then the chiefest justice in the world, who can discern only law.—"Slavery in Massachusetts"
