Justice Quotes

"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."

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

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

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

"The veil of ignorance ensures that principles of justice are impartial and fair."

"A society must regulate inequalities through institutions that serve all members."

"A just distribution of wealth respects the equal moral worth of all persons."

"Background justice must be maintained for fair equality of opportunity to be meaningful."

"Justice as fairness aims to articulate principles that free and equal citizens would agree to."

"A just society protects the equal worth of political liberty for all citizens."

"The principles of justice must be defensible to those subject to them."

"The difference principle expresses the idea that inequalities must benefit those worse off."

"Institutions must protect both freedom and equality for all citizens."

"Justice must be anchored in principles that all reasonable citizens could accept."

"Inequalities in the basic structure must be justifiable to all members of society."

"Citizens should regard themselves as having legitimate claims on the basic structure."

"Justice requires that the basic structure be designed to serve the interests of all citizens."

"Legality without legitimacy is merely organized force."

"Law is always an expression of the will to power."

"The rule of law is a myth that conceals the exercise of power."

"Every system of law ultimately rests on a founding act of violence."

"Justice demands not equality but proportion and the proper ordering of distinctions."

"Legitimacy cannot be manufactured through proper procedures alone."

"Discourse about law obscures the will that produces law."

"Every act of judgment contains within it an element of discretion that rules cannot eliminate."