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Justice is sweet and musical; but injustice is harsh and discordant.
Henry David Thoreau
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Justice is pleasing and harmonious, while injustice causes pain and disarray.

In this quote, Thoreau conveys the idea that justice brings a sense of sweetness and harmony to society, just as music does. Conversely, he portrays injustice as something unpleasant and jarring, emphasizing the fundamental human desire for fairness and order in our lives.

Themes

JusticeInjusticeHarmonySocietyFairness

In practice

Example use cases

This quote could be cited in a speech about social justice issues.

More from Henry David Thoreau

None are so old as those who have outlived enthusiasm.
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Have no mean hours, but be grateful for every hour, and accept what it brings. The reality will make any sincere record respectable.
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As every season seems best to us in its turn, so the coming in of spring is like the creation of Cosmos out of Chaos and the realization of the Golden Age.
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