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Quotes about justice

171 quotes from 112 people

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I must not only punish, but punish with impunity. A wrong is unredressed when retribution overtakes its redresser. It is equally unredressed when the avenger fails to make himself felt as such to him who has done the wrong.
Edgar Allan Poe1809–1849The Cask of Amontillado (1846)In context
Social and economic inequalities, for example inequalities of wealth and authority, are just only if they result in compensating benefits for everyone, and in particular for the least advantaged members of society.
John Rawls1921–2002A Theory of Justice (1971; 1975; 1999), p. 14.
The principles of justice are chosen behind a veil of ignorance.
John Rawls1921–2002A Theory of Justice (1971; 1975; 1999), Chapter I, Section 3, pg. 12
Justice is the first virtue of social institutions, as truth is of systems of thought.
John Rawls1921–2002A Theory of Justice (1971; 1975; 1999), Chapter I, Section 1, pg. 3-4
- Virtue
Each person possesses an inviolability founded on justice that even the welfare of society as a whole cannot override.
John Rawls1921–2002A Theory of Justice (1971; 1975; 1999), Chapter I, Section 1, pg. 3-4
Justice cannot be for one side alone, but must be for both.
Eleanor Roosevelt1884–1962
We must treat each man on his worth and merits as a man. We must see that each is given a square deal, because he is entitled to no more and should receive no less.
Theodore Roosevelt1858–1919A Square Deal (1903)
We wish peace, but we wish the peace of justice, the peace of righteousness. We wish it because we think it is right and not because we are afraid.
Theodore Roosevelt1858–1919Inaugural Address (1905)
- War & Peace
Punishment is the last and least effective instrument in the hands of the legislator for the prevention of crime.
John Ruskin1819–1900Notes on the General Principles of Employment for the Destitute and Criminal Classes (1868)
- Laws
Injustice in this world is not something comparative; the wrong is deep, clear, and absolute in each private fate.
George Santayana1863–1952The Life of Reason: The Phases of Human Progress (1905-1906), Vol. II, Reason in Society, Ch. IV: The Aristocratic Ideal
As a general truth, communities prosper and flourish, or droop and decline, in just the degree that they practise or neglect to practise the primary duties of justice and humanity.
William H. Seward1801–1872On the Irrepressible Conflict (1858)
It will have blood, they say, blood will have blood.
William Shakespeare1564–1616Macbeth (c. 1606), Act III, Scene IV, spoken by MacbethIn context
- Good & Evil
Mercy but murders, pardoning those that kill.
William Shakespeare1564–1616Romeo and Juliet (c. 1595), Act III, Scene I, spoken by PrinceIn context
- Forgiveness
Poor naked wretches, wheresoe’er you are,
That bide the pelting of this pitiless storm,
How shall your houseless heads and unfed sides,
Your loop’d and window’d raggedness, defend you
From seasons such as these? O, I have ta’en
Too little care of this! Take physic, pomp;
Expose thyself to feel what wretches feel,
That thou mayst shake the superflux to them
And show the heavens more just.
William Shakespeare1564–1616King Lear (c. 1606), Act III, Scene IV, spoken by LearIn context
- Charity
Through tatter’d clothes great vices do appear;
Robes and furr’d gowns hide all. Plate sin with gold,
And the strong lance of justice hurtless breaks;
Arm it in rags, a pygmy’s straw does pierce it.
William Shakespeare1564–1616King Lear (c. 1606), Act IV, Scene VI, spoken by LearIn context
- Money