In the same degree that we overrate ourselves, we shall underrate others; for injustice allowed at home is not likely to be correct abroad.
—Washington Allston (1779–1843) American Landscape Painter
The hungry judges soon the sentence sign, and wretches hang that jurymen may dine.
—Alexander Pope (1688–1744) English Poet
Pithy sentences are like sharp nails which force truth upon our memory.
—Denis Diderot (1713–84) French Philosopher, Writer
Time is the justice that examines all offenders.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
It is just as cowardly to judge an absent person as it is wicked to strike a defenseless one. Only the ignorant and narrow-minded gossip, for they speak of persons instead of things.
—Lawrence G. Lovasik
It’s strange that men should take up crime when there are so many legal ways to be dishonest.
—Unknown
Without justice, courage is weak.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
A hasty judgment is a first step to recantation.
—Publilius Syrus (fl.85–43 BCE) Syrian-born Roman Latin Writer
An honest man nearly always thinks justly.
—Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712–78) Swiss-born French Philosopher
A jury is composed of twelve men of average ignorance.
—Herbert Spencer (1820–1903) English Polymath, Philosopher, Sociologist, Political Theorist
Justice is the end of government. It is the end of civil society. It ever has been, and ever will be pursued, until it be obtained, or until liberty be lost in the pursuit.
—James Madison (1751–1836) American Founding Father, Statesman, President
Many laws as certainly make bad men, as bad men make many laws.
—Walter Savage Landor (1775–1864) English Writer, Poet
Justice without power is inefficient; power without justice is tyranny. Justice without power is opposed, because there are always wicked men. Power without justice is soon questioned. Justice and power must therefore be brought together, so that whatever is just may be powerful, and whatever is powerful may be just.
—Blaise Pascal (1623–62) French Mathematician, Physicist, Theologian
There is no limit to the ingenuity of man if it is properly and igorously applied under conditions of peace and justice.
—Winston Churchill (1874–1965) British Head of State, Political leader, Historian, Journalist, Author
Justice while she winks at crimes, Stumbles on innocence sometimes.
—Samuel Butler
If you want peace, work for justice.
—H. L. Mencken (1880–1956) American Journalist, Literary Critic
It is not Justice the servant of men, but accident, hazard, Fortune-the ally of patient Time-that holds an even and scrupulous balance.
—Mario Andretti (b.1940) Italian-born American Sportsperson
The law isn’t justice. It’s a very imperfect mechanism. If you press exactly the right buttons and are also lucky, justice may show up in the answer. A mechanism is all the law was ever intended to be.
—Raymond Chandler (1888–1959) American Novelist
We don’t give our criminals much punishment, but we sure give ’em plenty of publicity.
—Will Rogers (1879–1935) American Actor, Rancher, Humorist
If you feel an aversion to a person—that is, an unexplainable feeling of dislike or distaste for him—it is the most dangerous time for a proper opinion of him, his character, or his actions. Any judgment you pass upon him at such a time is bound to be unfair.
—Lawrence G. Lovasik
Justice is the great and simple principle which is the secret of success in all government, as essential to the training of an infant, as to the control of a mighty nation.
—William Gilmore Simms (1806–70) American Poet, Novelist, Historian
Justice is truth in action.
—Benjamin Disraeli (1804–81) British Head of State
The only way to make the mass of mankind see the beauty of justice, is by showing them, in pretty plain terms, the consequence of injustice.
—Sydney Smith (1771–1845) English Clergyman, Essayist, Wit
If, in my retirement to the humble station of a private citizen, I am accompanied with the esteem and approbation of my fellow citizens, trophies obtained by the bloodstained steel, or the tattered flags of the tented field, will never be envied. The care of human life and happiness, and not their destruction, is the first and only legitimate object of good government.
—Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826) American Head of State, Lawyer
Living well and beautifully and justly are all one thing.
—Socrates (469BCE–399BCE) Ancient Greek Philosopher
A man’s vanity tells him what is honor, a man’s conscience what is justice.
—Walter Savage Landor (1775–1864) English Writer, Poet
When rich speculators prosper while farmers lose their land; when government officials spend money on weapons instead of cures; when the upper class is extravagant and irresponsible while the poor have nowhere to turn-all this is robbery and chaos.
—Laozi (fl.6th Century BCE) Chinese Philosopher, Sage
Write that down, the King said to the jury, and the jury eagerly wrote down all three dates on their slates, and then added them up, and reduced the answer to shillings and pence.
—Charles Lutwidge Dodgson (Lewis Carroll) (1832–98) British Anglican Author, Mathematician, Clergyman, Photographer, Logician
Men in general judge more from appearances than from reality. All men have eyes, but few have the gift of penetration.
—Niccolo Machiavelli (1469–1527) Florentine Political Philosopher
Hug a police officer. It’s the law.
—Unknown