A human society obeys the dictates of reason and is guided and governed by a respect for justice.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
Civilization is built on a number of ultimate principles... respect for human life, the punishment of crimes against property and persons, the equality of all good citizens before the law... or, in a word justice.
Justice is the first virtue of those who command, and stops the complaints of those who obey.
The purpose of our justice system is to reflect the values of our society and to punish those who violate our standards.
The simplest way of understanding justice is giving people what they deserve. This idea goes back to Aristotle. The real difficulty begins with figuring out who deserves what and why.
It is our responsibility to explain to the public how an often unpredictable system of justice is one that serves a productive, civilized, but always evolving, society.
Justice is conscience, not a personal conscience but the conscience of the whole of humanity. Those who clearly recognize the voice of their own conscience usually recognize also the voice of justice.
The cause of justice is the cause of humanity. Its advocates should overflow with universal good will. We should love this cause, for it conduces to the general happiness of mankind.
Society is well governed when its people obey the magistrates, and the magistrates obey the law.
Justice must always question itself, just as society can exist only by means of the work it does on itself and on its institutions.
Justice is the insurance which we have on our lives and property. Obedience is the premium which we pay for it.