John Rawls

"Justice is the first virtue of social institutions, as truth is of systems of thought."

"Each person possesses an inviolability founded on justice that even the welfare of society as a whole cannot override."

"The principles of justice are chosen behind a veil of ignorance."

"A just society must arrange inequalities to benefit the least advantaged."

"Freedom as the basis of equal respect is fundamental to a well-ordered society."

"Primary goods are things that rational people desire as prerequisites for pursuing their life plans."

"The original position is a hypothetical state designed to represent fairness in choosing principles."

"Democratic equality requires that citizens view themselves and one another as equals."

"A conception of justice should not depend upon controversial philosophical or religious doctrines."

"Political liberalism seeks common ground among citizens with different comprehensive doctrines."

"The difference principle permits inequalities only if they benefit the worst-off members of society."

"Fair equality of opportunity requires that positions be open to all under fair conditions."

"Integrity in public life is essential to maintaining trust in democratic institutions."

"Citizens in a just society regard themselves as free and equal persons."

"The social contract is grounded in mutual respect and reciprocity."

"Public reason requires justifying laws by principles all citizens can accept."

"Moral persons are capable of having a sense of justice and a conception of the good."

"Stability for the right reasons requires that citizens endorse justice from within their own comprehensive views."

"The basic structure of society profoundly affects citizens' life prospects and opportunities."

"Reciprocity is the fundamental principle underlying fair social cooperation."

"A well-ordered society is one where everyone accepts the same principles of justice."

"The right is prior to the good in determining principles of justice."

"Citizens must be willing to propose and abide by fair terms of cooperation."

"Self-respect is perhaps the primary good that a just society must protect."

"Liberty of conscience is a basic right that cannot be restricted for social utility."

"The idea of reflective equilibrium guides us toward coherent principles of justice."

"In a just society, institutions are arranged to serve the common good of all citizens."

"Reasonable pluralism is a permanent feature of democratic societies."

"The principles of justice must be stable over time as society endures."

"Fair procedures are essential to legitimizing the basic structure of society."