--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A stranger, if just, is not only to be…" description: "\"A stranger, if just, is not only to be preferred before a countryman, but a kinsman.\" — Pythagoras" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/328/pythagoras-2290_countrymen_a-stranger-if-just-is-not-only-to-be-pre_2826781.jpg" --- # A stranger, if just, is not only to be preferred before a… ![“A stranger, if just, is not only to be preferred before a countryman, but a kinsman.” quote by Pythagoras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/328/pythagoras-2290_countrymen_a-stranger-if-just-is-not-only-to-be-pre_2826781.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/328/pythagoras-2290_countrymen_a-stranger-if-just-is-not-only-to-be-pre_2826781.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/328/pythagoras-2290_countrymen_a-stranger-if-just-is-not-only-to-be-pre_2826781.jpg) > “A stranger, if just, is not only to be preferred before a countryman, but a kinsman.” [Pythagoras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pythagoras/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Justice favors strangers over compatriots, treating them as kin. **In simple terms:** Justice should be impartial to all. Key Takeaway Practice impartiality toward everyone. Themes justice equality humanity Mood reflective idealistic Type ethical philosophical When to use this quote - legal systems - community service - international relations Key Concepts ethical philosophy universal rights social cohesion Questions to Reflect On - How can societies institutionalize impartial justice? - What barriers prevent treating strangers as kin? A Different Perspective Human bias often contradicts this ideal. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Countrymen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/countrymen/) [Stranger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stranger/) ## Related quotes > [But my thoughts ran a wool-gathering; and I did like the countryman, who looked for his ass while he was mounted on his back.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-de-cervantes/but-my-thoughts-ran-a-wool-gathering-and-i-did-like-the-countryman/) [Miguel de Cervantes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-de-cervantes/) > [“Those who are given special gifts from the Kinsman have a great responsibility to use them faithfully. That doesn't mean ye won't fail. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dawn-ford/those-who-are-given-special-gifts-from-the-kinsman-have-a-great/) Dawn Ford > [A kinsman, a friend, or whom you intreate, take not to serve you, if you will be served neately.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-herbert/a-kinsman-a-friend-or-whom-you-intreate-take-not-to-serve-you-if-you/) [George Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-herbert/) > [A countryman between two lawyers is like a fish between two cats.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/a-countryman-between-two-lawyers-is-like-a-fish-between-two-cats/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [“An argument ensued about abundance, leisure, work, nature, and what a second girl kept calling 'the American way.' When I asked her what she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-guterson/an-argument-ensued-about-abundance-leisure-work-nature-and-what-a/) [David Guterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-guterson/) > [My countrymen should have nerves of steel, muscles of iron, and minds like thunderbolt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/my-countrymen-should-have-nerves-of-steel-muscles-of-iron-and-minds/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [ \[Grew up in Hawaii\] that gave \[Barack Obama\] a kind of optimism, an ability to see things, you know, and frankly, an ability to… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ta-nehisi-coates/grew-up-in-hawaii-that-gave-barack-obama-a-kind-of-optimism-an/) [Ta-Nehisi Coates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ta-nehisi-coates/) > [While only one day of the year is dedicated solely to honoring our veterans, Americans must never forget the sacrifices that many of our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-neugebauer/while-only-one-day-of-the-year-is-dedicated-solely-to-honoring-our/) [Randy Neugebauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-neugebauer/) > [One of his officers, Henry Lee, summed up contemporary public opinion of Washington: First in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/one-of-his-officers-henry-lee-summed-up-contemporary-public-opinion/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) > [There still remains one effort of magnanimity, one sacrifice of prejudice and passion, to be made by the individuals throughout the nation who have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-quincy-adams/there-still-remains-one-effort-of-magnanimity-one-sacrifice-of/) [John Quincy Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-quincy-adams/) > [Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. 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I have cross-examined these men, one of them a hard-headed countryman, one a farrier, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-conan-doyle/it-was-a-huge-creature-luminous-ghastly-and-spectral-i-have-cross/) [Arthur Conan Doyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-conan-doyle/) ## More by Pythagoras > [The oldest, shortest words - 'yes' and 'no' - are those which require the most thought.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pythagoras/the-oldest-shortest-words-yes-and-no-are-those-which-require-the-most/) [Pythagoras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pythagoras/) > [Truth is so great a perfection, that if God would render himself visible to men, he would choose light for his body and truth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pythagoras/truth-is-so-great-a-perfection-that-if-god-would-render-himself/) [Pythagoras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pythagoras/) > [None can be free who is a slave to, and ruled by, his passions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pythagoras/none-can-be-free-who-is-a-slave-to-and-ruled-by-his-passions/) [Pythagoras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pythagoras/) > [Above all have respect for yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pythagoras/above-all-have-respect-for-yourself/) [Pythagoras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pythagoras/) > [“As long as men massacre animals, they will kill each other. Indeed, he who sows the seeds of murder and pain cannot reap the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pythagoras/as-long-as-men-massacre-animals-they-will-kill-each-other-indeed-he/) [Pythagoras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pythagoras/) > [We ought so to behave to one another as to avoid making enemies of our friends, and at the same time to make friends…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pythagoras/we-ought-so-to-behave-to-one-another-as-to-avoid-making-enemies-of/) [Pythagoras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pythagoras/) > [There is no word or action but has its echo in Eternity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pythagoras/there-is-no-word-or-action-but-has-its-echo-in-eternity/) [Pythagoras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pythagoras/) > [Know thyself and thou wilt know the universe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pythagoras/know-thyself-and-thou-wilt-know-the-universe/) [Pythagoras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pythagoras/) > [Geometry is knowledge of the eternally existent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pythagoras/geometry-is-knowledge-of-the-eternally-existent/) [Pythagoras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pythagoras/) > [If there be light, then there is darkness; if cold, heat; if height, depth; if solid, fluid; if hard, soft; if rough, smooth; if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pythagoras/if-there-be-light-then-there-is-darkness-if-cold-heat-if-height-depth/) [Pythagoras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pythagoras/) > [“There is geometry in the humming of the string.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pythagoras/there-is-geometry-in-the-humming-of-the-string/) [Pythagoras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pythagoras/) > [Above the cloud with its shadow is the star with its light. Above all things reverence thyself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pythagoras/above-the-cloud-with-its-shadow-is-the-star-with-its-light-above-all/) [Pythagoras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pythagoras/) > [If men with fleshly mortals must be fed, and chew with bleeding teeth the breathing bread; what else is this but to devour our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pythagoras/if-men-with-fleshly-mortals-must-be-fed-and-chew-with-bleeding-teeth/) [Pythagoras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pythagoras/) > [The oldest, shortest words - yes and o - are those which require the most thought.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pythagoras/the-oldest-shortest-words-yes-and-o-are-those-which-require-the-most/) [Pythagoras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pythagoras/) > [When the wise man opens his mouth, the beauties of his soul present themselves to the view, like the statues in a temple.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pythagoras/when-the-wise-man-opens-his-mouth-the-beauties-of-his-soul-present/) [Pythagoras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pythagoras/) [Explore all 174 Pythagoras quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pythagoras/) ## More Countrymen quotes > [...it was a huge creature, luminous, ghastly, and spectral. I have cross-examined these men, one of them a hard-headed countryman, one a farrier, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-conan-doyle/it-was-a-huge-creature-luminous-ghastly-and-spectral-i-have-cross/) [Arthur Conan Doyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-conan-doyle/) > [The institutions under which we live, my countrymen, secure each person in the perfect enjoyment of all his rights.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-tyler/the-institutions-under-which-we-live-my-countrymen-secure-each-person/) [John Tyler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-tyler/) > [As a Nobel Prize winner I cannot but regret that the award was never given to Mark Twain, nor to Henry James, speaking only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-hemingway/as-a-nobel-prize-winner-i-cannot-but-regret-that-the-award-was-never/) [Ernest Hemingway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-hemingway/) > [It would be a tragic mistake for us out here to imagine that Bush represents the hearts and the minds of the majority of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/breyten-breytenbach/it-would-be-a-tragic-mistake-for-us-out-here-to-imagine-that-bush/) [Breyten Breytenbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/breyten-breytenbach/) > [Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains sit lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that ye were our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-adams/crouch-down-and-lick-the-hands-which-feed-you-may-your-chains-sit/) [Samuel Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-adams/) > [There still remains one effort of magnanimity, one sacrifice of prejudice and passion, to be made by the individuals throughout the nation who have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-quincy-adams/there-still-remains-one-effort-of-magnanimity-one-sacrifice-of/) [John Quincy Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-quincy-adams/) > [One of his officers, Henry Lee, summed up contemporary public opinion of Washington: First in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/one-of-his-officers-henry-lee-summed-up-contemporary-public-opinion/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) > [While only one day of the year is dedicated solely to honoring our veterans, Americans must never forget the sacrifices that many of our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-neugebauer/while-only-one-day-of-the-year-is-dedicated-solely-to-honoring-our/) [Randy Neugebauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-neugebauer/) > [ \[Grew up in Hawaii\] that gave \[Barack Obama\] a kind of optimism, an ability to see things, you know, and frankly, an ability to… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ta-nehisi-coates/grew-up-in-hawaii-that-gave-barack-obama-a-kind-of-optimism-an/) [Ta-Nehisi Coates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ta-nehisi-coates/) > [My countrymen should have nerves of steel, muscles of iron, and minds like thunderbolt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/my-countrymen-should-have-nerves-of-steel-muscles-of-iron-and-minds/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [“At a certain time in our existential experience, we must just not want better for ourselves, but for our country and the success of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-johnson-jr/at-a-certain-time-in-our-existential-experience-we-must-just-not-want/) [Henry Johnson Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-johnson-jr/) > [To be a good patriot, a man must consider his countrymen as God's creatures, and himself as accountable for his acting towards them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-berkeley/to-be-a-good-patriot-a-man-must-consider-his-countrymen-as-god-s/) [George Berkeley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-berkeley/) > [Those who visit foreign nations, but who associate only with their own countrymen, change their climate, but not their customs 'caelum non animum mutant':…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-caleb-colton/those-who-visit-foreign-nations-but-who-associate-only-with-their-own/) [Charles Caleb Colton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-caleb-colton/) > [In Lincoln's day a President's religion was a very private affair. 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