In no sense do I advocate evading or defying the law ... That would lead to anarchy. An individual who breaks a law that his conscience tells him is unjust, and who willingly accepts the penalty of imprisonment in order to arouse the conscience of the community over its injustice, is in reality expressing the highest respect for law.

Summary

This quote, often attributed to Martin Luther King Jr., highlights the importance of obeying the law while also recognizing the need to challenge and address unjust laws. It emphasizes that simply evading or defying the law would result in chaos. Instead, it suggests that individuals who knowingly break an unjust law out of conscience and willingly accept the consequences are demonstrating a profound respect for the principle of law itself, as they seek to raise awareness and prompt the community to confront the injustice at hand.

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