Rawls, John

"The least advantaged class is defined as those with the lowest index of primary goods."

"Institutional justice forms the basic structure within which smaller-scale justice operates."

"Citizens in a well-ordered society recognize each other as equals in matters of fundamental rights."

"The priority of right over good reflects the priority of justice over comprehensive doctrines."

"Fair background conditions must be maintained through continuous adjustment of institutions."

"A person's sense of justice is part of their moral character and development."

"The original position represents a situation of equality among free moral agents."

"Justice as fairness provides principles for the basic structure of society and for individual conduct."

"The right is prior to the good, meaning justice cannot be sacrificed for other values."

"Liberal societies can accommodate reasonable disagreement about the good life."

"The capacity for a sense of justice is the moral power that makes society possible."

"Reciprocity requires that social cooperation benefit all participants fairly."

"A just basic structure ensures that fair background conditions are preserved over time."

"Citizens have a duty to support just institutions and obey just laws."

"The stability of a just society depends on the moral character of its citizens."

"Political power must be exercised in accordance with a constitution that citizens can reasonably accept."

"Equal political rights protect citizens from domination by others."

"Justice requires that all citizens have genuine access to public office and positions of influence."

"The difference principle ensures that no one benefits from their natural advantages at others' expense."

"A well-ordered society realizes citizens' highest-order interests in justice and the good."

"Social institutions must be designed to respect the equal moral status of all persons."

"The basic liberties protect individuals' capacity to develop and pursue their conceptions of the good."

"Justice as fairness is the most reasonable conception of political justice for modern democracies."

"The veil of ignorance represents a fair way of choosing principles of justice."

"Citizens must be able to view social institutions as fair from their own perspective."

"A conception of justice aims at achieving a just basic social structure."

"The principle of fair opportunity requires that all have real chance to achieve positions of influence."

"Justice permits inequalities only when they improve everyone's position, especially the least advantaged."

"Well-ordered societies exhibit stability for the right reasons when citizens freely support just principles."

"The two principles of justice are lexically ordered, with liberty taking priority."