Civil society Quote by James Madison
“Justice is the end of government. It is the end of civil society. It ever has been and ever will be pursued until it be obtained, or until liberty be lost in the pursuit.”
About This Quote
Source The Federalist Papers, No. 51, 1788
Justice is the ultimate aim of government and society, pursued until achieved or until liberty is sacrificed.
In simple terms: Justice is the goal of government.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize justice over expediency.
Themes
justice
government
civil society
liberty
ethics
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- policy making
- legal reform
- civil rights activism
- community governance
Key Concepts
Political philosophy
social contract
rule of law
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies protect liberty while pursuing justice?
- What compromises are acceptable?
A Different Perspective
Balancing justice with security can be contentious.
![“The instrument by which it [government] must act are either the AUTHORITY of the laws or FORCE. If the first be destroyed, the last must be substituted; and where this becomes the ordinary instrument of government there is an end to liberty!” quote by Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/063/alexander-hamilton-619_authority_the-instrument-by-which-it-government-mu_1468098.jpg)
![“It is certain that every class is interested in [educational] establishments which give to the human mind its highest improvements, and to every Country its truest and most durable celebrity.” quote by James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/964/james-madison-373_certain_it-is-certain-that-every-class-is-intere_22217.jpg)
![“The social [media channel] isn't about beauty contests and popularity contests. They're a distortion, a caricature of the real thing. It's about trust, connection, and community. That's what there's too little of in today's mediascape, despite all the hoopla surrounding social tools. The promise…” quote by Umair Haque](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c85/umair-haque-25881_beauty_the-social-media-channel-isn-t-about-bea_1270.jpg)
![“[T]here are, at bottom, basically two ways to order social affairs, Coercively, through the mechanisms of the state - what we can call political society. And voluntarily, through the private interaction of individuals and associations - what we can call civil society. ... In a civil society, you…” quote by Ed Crane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b8b/ed-crane-39299_affair_t-here-are-at-bottom-basically-two-ways_34431.jpg)
