Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Theologian
"Faith without works is not faith at all, but a simple lack of obedience to God."
Obedience quotes
Obedience
270 quotes on this topic — from poets, philosophers, and thinkers across history.
Thomas Jefferson
Politician, Founding Father
"Rebellion to tyranny is obedience to God."
Thomas Aquinas
Philosopher, Theologian
"Obedience unites us so closely to God that it in a way transforms us into Him, so that we have no other will but His. If obedience is lacking, even prayer cannot be pleasing to God."
Saint Augustine
Theologian, Philosopher
"The cost of obedience is small compared with the cost of disobedience."
D. A. Carson
Theologian
"If the text is God's Word, it is appropriate that we respond with reverence, a certain fear, a holy joy, a questing obedience."
Explore further
Topics related to Obedience
Browse quotes that often appear alongside obedience — connected by shared ideas and recurring themes.
Quote collection
Obedience quotes (page 1 of 14)
Follow a thought to its author, or read the full quote page.
"Obedience is an act of faith; disobedience is the result of unbelief."
Read quote
31 likes
"All true knowledge of God is born out of obedience."
Read quote
29 likes
"Defiance, not obedience, is the American's answer to overbearing authority."
Read quote
23 likes
"The whole duty of man is summed up in obedience to God's will."
Read quote
23 likes
"God does not call us to be successful, but to be obedient."
Read quote
21 likes
"Note this, I beseech you: in active obedience we worship God by doing what pleases God, but by passive obedience we do as well worship God by being pleased with what God does."
Read quote
21 likes
"Faith is nothing but obedience and piety."
Read quote
20 likes
"A ton of prayer will never produce what an ounce of obedience will."
Read quote
19 likes
"Only he who believes is obedient and only he who is obedient believes."
Read quote
19 likes
"The individual act of obedience is the cornerstone not only of the strength of authoritarian society but also of its weakness."
Read quote
19 likes
"Obedience is the road to freedom."
Read quote
18 likes
"Force does not constitute right... obedience is due only to legitimate powers."
Read quote
17 likes
"It is infinitely easier to suffer in obedience to a human command than to accept suffering as free, responsible men."
Read quote
16 likes
"Human history began with an act of disobedience and it is not unlikely that it will be terminated by an act of obedience."
Read quote
15 likes
"Obedience alone gives the right to command."
Read quote
15 likes
"Freedom is obedience to self-formulated rules."
Read quote
13 likes
"A person is bound to work in obedience to and in conformity to that person's own nature."
Read quote
12 likes
"Faith is only real when there is obedience, never without it, and faith only becomes faith in the act of obedience."
Read quote
10 likes
"Obedience of the law is demanded; not asked as a favor."
Read quote
10 likes
"I follow nature as the surest guide, and resign myself with implicit obedience to her sacred ordinances."
Read quote
10 likes