You think you know what is just and what is not. I…
“You think you know what is just and what is not. I understand. We all think we know." I had no doubt, myself, then, that at each moment each one of us, man, woman, child, perhaps even the poor old horse turning the mill-wheel, knew what was just: all creatures come into the world bringing with them the memory of justice. "But we live in a world of laws," I said to my poor prisoner, "a world of the second-best. There is nothing we can do about that. We are fallen creatures. All we can do is to uphold the laws, all of us, without allowing the memory of justice to fade.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Justice is an innate memory in all beings, but societies rely on imperfect laws; we must preserve that memory.
In simple terms: Justice is innate, laws are imperfect.
Key Takeaway
Uphold justice beyond legal limits.
Themes
justice
law
human nature
Mood
thoughtful
serious
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- courtrooms
- social activism
- education
- community governance
Key Concepts
moral philosophy
ethical duty
Questions to Reflect On
- How can individuals keep justice alive within flawed systems?
- What role does memory play in moral behavior?
A Different Perspective
Laws cannot fully capture moral truth.