Justice and power must be brought together, so that whatever is just may be powerful, and whatever is powerful may be just.
Blaise PascalRead
Justice without force is powerless; force without justice is tyrannical.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Justice needs the means to be enforced, while force must have a moral foundation to avoid becoming oppressive.
This quote by Blaise Pascal emphasizes the balance required between justice and power. Justice must be supported by the necessary force to implement it; otherwise, it risks being ineffective. Conversely, having power or force without the guiding principle of justice leads to tyranny and oppression. Therefore, both elements must coexist harmoniously to ensure a fair and just society.
Themes
JusticeForceTyrannyBalancePower
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a debate about the role of government in enforcing laws.
More from Blaise Pascal
All quotes βIf we submit everything to reason our religion will be left with nothing mysterious or supernatural. If we offend the principles of reason our religion will be absurd and ridiculous . . . There are two equally dangerous extremes: to exclude reason, to admit nothing but reason.
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Those are weaklings who know the truth and uphold it as long as it suits their purpose, and then abandon it.
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Jesus is the God whom we can approach without pride and before whom we can humble ourselves without despair.
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If he exalts himself, I humble him. If he humbles himself, I exalt him. And I go on contradicting him Until he understands That he is a monster that passes all understanding.
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What use is it to us to hear it said of a man that he has thrown off the yoke that he does not believe there is a God to watch over his actions, that he reckons himself the sole master of his behavior, and that he does not intend to give an account of it to anyone but himself?
Blaise PascalRead
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