It is infinitely easier to suffer in obedience to a human command than to accept suffering as free, responsible men

It is infinitely easier to suffer in obedience to a human command than to accept suffering as free, responsible men

Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a German theologian and pastor who actively opposed the Nazi regime during World War II, understood the complexities of suffering and the importance of taking responsibility for one's actions. His quote, "It is infinitely easier to suffer in obedience to a human command than to accept suffering as free, responsible men," speaks to the idea that true suffering requires a level of personal agency and moral courage that is often lacking when one simply follows orders.

Bonhoeffer's own life exemplified this principle. He could have easily chosen to comply with the Nazi regime and avoid persecution, but instead he chose to resist and speak out against the atrocities being committed. This decision ultimately led to his imprisonment and execution, but it also solidified his legacy as a man of integrity and moral conviction.