Extract: Henry David Thoreau (1817 – 62)

On the Duty of Civil Disobedience

The practical reason why a majority is permitted to rule is not because they are most likely to be in the right, nor because this seems fairest to the minority, but because they are physically the strongest. 

But a government in which the majority rule in all cases can not be based on justice, even as far as men understand it.  Can there not be a government in which the majorities do not virtually decide right and wrong, but conscience?  Which majorities decide only those questions to which the rule of expediency is applicable?

 Must the citizen ever for a moment, or in the least degree, resign his conscience to the legislator?  Why has every man a conscience then?  I think we should be men first, and subjects afterwards.  It is not desirable to cultivate respect for the law, so much as for the right.  The only obligation which I have right to assume is to do at any time what I think is right.