The world, being in the constant commission of vast…
““The world, being in the constant commission of vast quantities of injustice, is a little too apt to comfort itself with the idea that if the victim of its falsehood and malice have a clear conscience, he cannot fail to be sustained under his trials, and somehow or other to come right at last; 'in which case,' say they who have hunted him down, '—though we certainly don't expect it—nobody will be better pleased than we.' Whereas, the world would do well to reflect, that injustice is in itself, to every generous and properly constituted mind, an injury, of all others the most insufferable, the most torturing, and the most hard to bear; and that many clear consciences have gone to their account elsewhere, and many sound hearts have broken, because of this very reason; the knowledge of their own deserts only aggravating their sufferings, and rendering them the less endurable.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A dense meditation on injustice, conscience, and suffering, arguing that true injustice is unbearable even for the virtuous, and that self‑knowledge can intensify pain.
In simple terms: Injustice hurts everyone, even those with clear consciences.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and alleviate suffering wherever it appears.
Themes
justice
conscience
human suffering
philosophy
ethics
Mood
somber
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
reflective
When to use this quote
- courtrooms
- medical ethics
- personal crises
- political activism
Key Concepts
moral injury
psychological burden
social critique
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we make justice more tangible?
- What role does self‑awareness play in suffering?
A Different Perspective
The prose is overly complex, potentially obscuring its message.