Two things, Christian reader, particularly excite the will…
“Two things, Christian reader, particularly excite the will of man to good. A principle of justice is one, the other the profit we may derive therefrom. All wise men, therefore, agree that justice and profit are the two most powerful inducements to move our wills to any undertaking. Now, though men seek profit more frequently than justice, yet justice is in itself more powerful.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Justice and profit motivate human action, with justice being inherently stronger despite profit’s frequent appeal.
In simple terms: Justice drives people more than profit, though profit is often pursued.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize justice over profit.
Themes
ethics
motivation
human nature
Mood
thoughtful
inspirational
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- business decisions
- legal judgments
- personal choices
- public policy
Key Concepts
incentives
moral philosophy
Questions to Reflect On
- What actions can you take to align profit with justice?
- How does justice influence your long‑term goals?
A Different Perspective
Justice may be abstract and harder to measure than profit.