The black servants dutifully obeyed and worshiped their creator. The servant obeyed God's words and threw him. Rules are not absolute dictates that must be obeyed without question. While these decrees did not hold legal force, they usually were obeyed in practice. Tolkien grudgingly obeyed this instruction to the letter while Father Morgan's guardianship lasted. Lord Rama politely obeyed Parashurama's words. Although many Irgunists objected to these orders, they obeyed Begin and refrained from fighting back. Catholics who obeyed her orders were threatened with excommunication. We were automatons who obeyed without thinking. That is, he always obeyed the autocratic ruler. Cardigan, who had merely obeyed orders, blamed Lucan for giving those orders. The men were so surprised to hear Truman use such language that they immediately obeyed. Such direction shall be obeyed by all concerned. His wish was obeyed by his followers. However, that rule was not obeyed from the start.