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Justice Quotes

By a wide margin the most quotes here are Shakespeare’s, and the two judges who follow him, Lord Mansfield and Lord Kenyon, are a sign that this page leans on the bench as much as the stage. Seneca and John Rawls fill out the top five.

Among the sourced entries, Bierce’s definition from 1911 describes justice as a commodity the State sells to citizens as a reward for their allegiance, taxes and personal service. Sartre’s Dirty Hands (1948) and Wilde’s Ballad of Reading Gaol (1898) are here for what they say about guilt, not courts.

Three lines carry flags: Marlowe’s “the justice of my quarrel,” Augustine on charity and withheld justice, and a Martin Luther King Jr. line about peace and justice being goals for man.

Random quote on Justice

Most quoted on justice:

Precedent goes in support of justice.

Lloyd Kenyon, 1st Baron Kenyon Smith v. Bowles (1797)

So long as Courts of justice remain Courts of justice there must be decency maintained.

Sir John Bayley, 1st Baronet Trial of Hunt and others (King v. Hunt) (1820)

The Hindus catching the mlechchas by their hands, whirled them round, just as Bhima did to the elephants; but the comparison does not do justice to the fight.

Chand Bardai

Now I can do no more. We must trust to the Great Disposer of all Events and the Justice of our Cause. I thank God for this great opportunity of doing my Duty.

Horatio Nelson The Battle of Trafalgar (1805)

Thwackum was for doing justice, and leaving mercy to heaven.

Henry Fielding The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling (1749)

Reason is a particle of the Creator's divinity. When we use it with a spirit of humility and justice we are certain to please the Giver of that precious gift.

Giacomo Casanova Memoirs of J. Casanova de Seingalt (1894)

What can I tell you, Laura? That I confused justice and revenge? People do that a great deal, and they always have.

Peter S. Beagle A Fine and Private Place (1960)

The first priority of humankind in this era is to establish an effective system of world law that will assure peace with justice among the peoples of the world.

Walter Cronkite UN Address (1999)

There is no justice. There are occasional acts of vengeance, or regret, but there’s no real justice. In the natural scheme of things, it is not possible.

Jack McDevitt Odyssey (2006)

"A principle isn't truly yours until it's tested in the fire of justice and compassion."

Kuruvilla Pandikattu

It would be preferable to teach that honour and glory can also be won through civil courage and working for social justice.

Alfred-Maurice de Zayas

I do not think that man honest who would avail himself of a quirk of law to obtain what in reason and justice he can possibly have no right to.

Joseph Ritson

Thank God justice has prevailed I have been vindicated.

Anwar Ibrahim

May we always be sincere and courageous heralds of peace, without forgetting that there is no peace without justice and there is no justice without forgiveness.

Luciano Suriani

It would be small measure of justice for those who lost their lives on a forced march.

Kimberly Teehee

We shall not rest until the women of this country have obtained justice.

Charlotte Maxeke

Justice has been done. That’s what the people of Rwanda have been looking for. We are not looking for revenge.

Joy Mukanyange

Soon the day will come when science will win victory over error, justice a victory over injustice, and human love a victory over human hatred and ignorance.

Magnus Hirschfeld

Be joyful warriors and constant justice seekers.

Anne Williams-Isom

We must continue to pursue justice, equity and fairness through lawful means.

Peter Obi

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