quotations about justice
Rats and roaches live by competition under the law of supply and demand; it is the privilege of human beings to live under the laws of justice and mercy.
WENDELL BERRY
The Art of the Commonplace: The Agrarian Essays of Wendell Berry
There is one, and only one, thing in modern society more hideous than crime--namely, repressive justice.
SIMONE WEIL
"Human Personally"
If violence is the salvation of the brutes, the salvation of man is Justice.
CHARLES WAGNER
preface, Justice
I'm armed with more than complete steel--
The justice of my quarrel.
CHRISTOPHER MARLOWE
Lust's Dominion
Justice often leans to the side of the purse hand.
CROFT M. PENTZ
The Complete Book of Zingers
Justice? Who asks for justice? We make our own justice ... Let us not rail about justice as long as we have arms and the freedom to use them.
FRANK HERBERT
Heretics of Dune
Justice is primarily a possible, but not a necessary, quality of a social order regulating the mutual relations of men. Only secondarily it is a virtue of man, since a man is just, if his behavior conforms to the norms of a social order supposed to be just. But what does it really mean to say that a social order is just? It means that this order regulates the behavior of men in a way satisfactory to all men, that is to say, so that all men find their happiness in it. The longing for justice is men's eternal longing for happiness. It is happiness that men cannot find alone, as an isolated individual, and hence seeks in society. Justice is social happiness. It is happiness guaranteed by a social order.
HANS KELSEN
What Is Justice?
Justice cannot be exerted in a vacuum where there is neither good nor evil, right nor wrong.
SABINE BARING-GOULD
The Origin and Development of Religious Belief: Christianity
The universal law of justice is: act externally in such a way that the free use of your will is compatible with the freedom of everyone according to a universal law.
IMMANUEL KANT
The Metaphysical Elements of Justice
One of the most exquisite examples of justice in the New Testament ... is found in the crucifixion narrative as described by the writer of Luke's gospel (see Lk. 23:26-43), who portrays Jesus extending mercy to his persecutors and enemies: "Then Jesus said, 'Father forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing'" (v. 34). To those witnessing Jesus' crucifixion--both friends and foes--these words would have sounded foolish. And yet, paradoxically, these words of reconciliation could be understood as an expression of justice at its deepest level--justice that gives way to compassion toward those guilty of injustice who, for some reason, do not truly understand what they are doing or have done to another or others.
CAROL J. DEMPSEY
Justice: A Biblical Perspective
Fine as justice is, as an every day quality, it is not winning. It is lacking in warmth. We need something better. We need sympathy with the other fellow and kindness.
JOHN DANIEL BARRY
"Getting On With People,", Reactions and Other Essays
Injustice alone can shake down the pillars of the skies, and restore the reign of Chaos and Night.
HORACE MANN
A Few Thoughts for a Young Man
Justice is conscience, not a personal conscience but the conscience of the whole of humanity.
ALEXANDER SOLZHENITSYN
letter, Oct. 1967
For the Lord is righteous, he loves justice; upright men will see his face.
BIBLE
Psalms 11:7
Whenever a separation is made between liberty and justice, neither is, in my opinion, safe.
EDMUND BURKE
letter, Oct. 1789
Isn't it just as much the duty of the police to free the innocent, as to bring the guilty to justice?
SUSANNE ALLEYN
Game of Patience
This, and no other, is justice: -- to consider, under all the circumstances and consequences of a particular case, how the greatest quantity and purest quality of happiness will ensue from any action ... there is no other justice.
PERCY BYSSHE SHELLEY
"Essay on Christianity"
If you tremble with indignation at every injustice then you are a comrade of mine.
CHE GUEVARA
attributed, Words of Wisdom: Che Guevara
The first request of civilization ... is that of justice.
SIGMUND FREUD
Civilization and Its Discontents