--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I think the first duty of society is…" description: "\"I think the first duty of society is justice.\" — Alexander Hamilton" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f1b/alexander-hamilton-619_duty_i-think-the-first-duty-of-society-is-jus_2227272.jpg" --- # I think the first duty of society is justice. ![“I think the first duty of society is justice.” quote by Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f1b/alexander-hamilton-619_duty_i-think-the-first-duty-of-society-is-jus_2227272.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f1b/alexander-hamilton-619_duty_i-think-the-first-duty-of-society-is-jus_2227272.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f1b/alexander-hamilton-619_duty_i-think-the-first-duty-of-society-is-jus_2227272.jpg) > “I think the first duty of society is justice.” [Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He asserts that society’s primary responsibility is to uphold justice, emphasizing fairness as a core civic duty. **In simple terms:** Society must prioritize justice above all. Key Takeaway Champion fairness in community. Themes justice society morality law Mood serious inspirational Type philosophical political When to use this quote - policy making - legal reform - community activism - education Key Concepts civic duty ethical governance social contract Questions to Reflect On - How define justice is defined? - What mechanisms ensure it? A Different Perspective Justice can be subjective and contested. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Duty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/duty/) [Duty Society](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/duty-society-2936445/) [Justice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/justice/) [Responsibility](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/responsibility/) [Society](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/society/) [Society Justice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/society-justice-1871431/) [Think Duty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/think-duty-901006/) ## Related quotes > [The first duty of society is justice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/the-first-duty-of-society-is-justice/) [Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/) > [The first duty of society is to give each of its members the possibility of fulfilling his destiny. When it becomes incapable of performing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexis-carrel/the-first-duty-of-society-is-to-give-each-of-its-members-the/) [Alexis Carrel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexis-carrel/) > [It occurred to me that I had the duty to give society something in exchange for the free education I was getting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-bunge/it-occurred-to-me-that-i-had-the-duty-to-give-society-something-in/) [Mario Bunge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-bunge/) > [“Your duty is to society, and the dead have always been a part of society. How we treat the dead says much about us.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-grecian/your-duty-is-to-society-and-the-dead-have-always-been-a-part-of/) [Alex Grecian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-grecian/) > [Everyone has to have a sense of duty. A duty to society, to their family. I mean, you name it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/prince-philip/everyone-has-to-have-a-sense-of-duty-a-duty-to-society-to-their/) [Prince Philip](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/prince-philip/) > [“We try to show that the well-ordered society of justice as fairness is indeed possible according to our nature and those requirements. This endeavor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-rawls/we-try-to-show-that-the-well-ordered-society-of-justice-as-fairness/) [John Rawls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-rawls/) > [War challenges virtually every other institution of society-the justice and equity of its economy, the adequacy of its political systems, the energy of its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-millis/war-challenges-virtually-every-other-institution-of-society-the/) [Walter Millis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-millis/) > [“A society with more justice needs less charity.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-nader/a-society-with-more-justice-needs-less-charity/) [Ralph Nader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-nader/) > [When there is crime in society, there is no justice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/when-there-is-crime-in-society-there-is-no-justice/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [A society that has more justice is a society that needs less charity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-nader/a-society-that-has-more-justice-is-a-society-that-needs-less-charity/) [Ralph Nader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-nader/) > [“The object of civil society is justice, not truth, virtue, wealth, knowledge, glory or power. Justice is followed by equality and liberty.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-emerich-edward-dalberg-acton/the-object-of-civil-society-is-justice-not-truth-virtue-wealth/) [John Emerich Edward Dalberg-Acton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-emerich-edward-dalberg-acton/) > [You would not think any duty small, If you yourself were great.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-macdonald/you-would-not-think-any-duty-small-if-you-yourself-were-great/) [George MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-macdonald/) > [I think it's the duty of the comedian to find out where the line is drawn and cross it deliberately.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-carlin/i-think-it-s-the-duty-of-the-comedian-to-find-out-where-the-line-is/) [George Carlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-carlin/) > [Resolved, that I will do whatsoever I think to be most to God’s glory, and my own good, profit and pleasure, in the whole…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-edwards/resolved-that-i-will-do-whatsoever-i-think-to-be-most-to-god-s-glory/) [Jonathan Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-edwards/) > [I shall act as I think my duty requires.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-henry/i-shall-act-as-i-think-my-duty-requires/) [Patrick Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-henry/) ## More by Alexander Hamilton > [“I am apprehensive, Sir, that in the warmth of my feelings, I may have uttered expressions, which were too vehement. If such has been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/i-am-apprehensive-sir-that-in-the-warmth-of-my-feelings-i-may-have/) [Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/) > [“The truth unquestionably is, that the only path to a subversion of the republican system of the Country is, by flattering the prejudices of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/the-truth-unquestionably-is-that-the-only-path-to-a-subversion-of-the/) [Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/) > [ \[W\]ar is a question, under our constitution, not of Executive, but of Legislative cognizance. It belongs to Congress to say whether the Nation shall… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/w-ar-is-a-question-under-our-constitution-not-of-executive-but-of/) [Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/) > [It will be of little avail to the people, that the laws are made by men of their own choice, if the laws be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/it-will-be-of-little-avail-to-the-people-that-the-laws-are-made-by/) [Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/) > [Though a wide ocean separates the United States from Europe, yet there are various considerations that warn us against an excess of confidence or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/though-a-wide-ocean-separates-the-united-states-from-europe-yet-there/) [Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/) > [It is an unquestionable truth, that the body of the people in every country desire sincerely its prosperity. But it is equally unquestionable that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/it-is-an-unquestionable-truth-that-the-body-of-the-people-in-every/) [Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/) > [There are still to be found visionary or designing men, who stand ready to advocate the paradox of perpetual peace between the states, though…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/there-are-still-to-be-found-visionary-or-designing-men-who-stand/) [Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/) > [ It is one thing to be subordinate to the laws, and another \[for the Executive\] to be dependent on the legislative body. The first… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/it-is-one-thing-to-be-subordinate-to-the-laws-and-another-for-the/) [Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/) > [Man is very much a creature of habit. A thing that rarely strikes his senses will generally have but little influence upon his mind.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/man-is-very-much-a-creature-of-habit-a-thing-that-rarely-strikes-his/) [Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/) > [Money is, with propriety, considered as the vital principle of the body politic; as that which sustains its life and motion, and enables it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/money-is-with-propriety-considered-as-the-vital-principle-of-the-body/) [Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/) > [The nation which can prefer disgrace to danger is prepared for a master and deserves one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/the-nation-which-can-prefer-disgrace-to-danger-is-prepared-for-a/) [Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/) > [It is a well-known fact that in countries in which the national debt is properly funded, and an object of established confidence, it answers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/it-is-a-well-known-fact-that-in-countries-in-which-the-national-debt/) [Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/) > [A government, the constitution of which renders it unfit to be trusted with all the powers which a free people ought to delegate to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/a-government-the-constitution-of-which-renders-it-unfit-to-be-trusted/) [Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/) > [The Liberty of the press consists in the right to publish with impunity truth with good motives for justifiable ends, though reflecting on government,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/the-liberty-of-the-press-consists-in-the-right-to-publish-with/) [Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/) > [You should not have taken advantage of my sensibility to steal into my affections without my consent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/you-should-not-have-taken-advantage-of-my-sensibility-to-steal-into/) [Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/) [Explore all 443 Alexander Hamilton quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/) ## More Duty quotes > [I pray that wherever we are and whatever duties we have in the priesthood of God, we will be united in the cause to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-b-eyring/i-pray-that-wherever-we-are-and-whatever-duties-we-have-in-the/) [Henry B. Eyring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-b-eyring/) > [Few political debates have been as divisive as the European one. I fought as hard as I could on the Remain side, but I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/damian-green/few-political-debates-have-been-as-divisive-as-the-european-one-i/) [Damian Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/damian-green/) > [I'm a strange mixture of my mother's curiosity; my father, who grew up the son of the manse in a Presbyterian family, who had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rupert-murdoch/i-m-a-strange-mixture-of-my-mother-s-curiosity-my-father-who-grew-up/) [Rupert Murdoch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rupert-murdoch/) > [“Is that what they teach you at the convent? That the gods demand the hearts from our bodies?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-lafevers/is-that-what-they-teach-you-at-the-convent-that-the-gods-demand-the/) [Robin LaFevers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-lafevers/) > [The less we show our love to a woman, Or please her less, and neglect our duty, The more we trap and ruin her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pushkin/the-less-we-show-our-love-to-a-woman-or-please-her-less-and-neglect/) [Alexander Pushkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pushkin/) > [We can find common qualities and common values that have made Britain the country it is. Our belief in tolerance and liberty which shines…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-brown/we-can-find-common-qualities-and-common-values-that-have-made-britain/) [Gordon Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-brown/) > [Consideration is the soil in which wisdom may be expected to grow, and strength be given to every up-springing plant of duty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/consideration-is-the-soil-in-which-wisdom-may-be-expected-to-grow-and/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [“You have a right to be sad, and a duty to move on. Only wins who wipes the tears, gather strength and move forward.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augusto-branco/you-have-a-right-to-be-sad-and-a-duty-to-move-on-only-wins-who-wipes/) [Augusto Branco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augusto-branco/) > [Our duty as Christians is always to keep heaven in our eye and earth under our feet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-henry/our-duty-as-christians-is-always-to-keep-heaven-in-our-eye-and-earth/) [Matthew Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-henry/) > [May God bless each of us in our calls to serve. May our faith strengthen as we serve in righteousness, faithfully keeping the commandments.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-tom-perry/may-god-bless-each-of-us-in-our-calls-to-serve-may-our-faith/) [L. Tom Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-tom-perry/) > [Regardless of how you feel about war and peace those serving military are doing a duty for the rest of us and they're protecting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-cardellini/regardless-of-how-you-feel-about-war-and-peace-those-serving-military/) [Linda Cardellini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linda-cardellini/) > [“Duty is a done deal.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/duty-is-a-done-deal/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [Politics...You see, it depends on what kind of politics. What we did during my father's generation was a duty. And it was beautiful because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/indira-gandhi/politics-you-see-it-depends-on-what-kind-of-politics-what-we-did/) [Indira Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/indira-gandhi/) > [I do not so much rejoice that God hath made me to be a Queen, as to be a Queen over so thankful a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-i/i-do-not-so-much-rejoice-that-god-hath-made-me-to-be-a-queen-as-to-be/) [Elizabeth I](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-i/) > [The whole duty of man is summed up in obedience to God's will.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/the-whole-duty-of-man-is-summed-up-in-obedience-to-god-s-will/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) [Browse all 5,178 Duty quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/duty/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I think the first duty of society is justice.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Alexander Hamilton" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/i-think-the-first-duty-of-society-is-justice/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Duty" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/i-think-the-first-duty-of-society-is-justice/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f1b/alexander-hamilton-619_duty_i-think-the-first-duty-of-society-is-jus_2227272.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f1b/alexander-hamilton-619_duty_i-think-the-first-duty-of-society-is-jus_2227272.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f1b/alexander-hamilton-619_duty_i-think-the-first-duty-of-society-is-jus_2227272.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I think the first duty of society is justice.” — Alexander Hamilton", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Alexander Hamilton", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I think the first duty of...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/i-think-the-first-duty-of-society-is-justice/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/i-think-the-first-duty-of-society-is-justice/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```