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Justice is the insurance which we have on our lives and property. Obedience is the premium which we pay for it.
William Penn
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Justice protects our lives and property, while obedience is the cost we pay for that protection.

This quote by William Penn emphasizes the relationship between justice and obedience as foundational principles of a functioning society. Justice is portrayed as a form of security for individuals, ensuring their rights and property are safeguarded, while obedience to laws and societal norms is seen as the necessary price that individuals must pay in order to maintain this order and protection.

Themes

JusticeObedienceSocietySecurityLaw

In practice

Example use cases

This quote can be used in a speech about the importance of law and order in society.

More from William Penn

Sense shines with a double luster when it is set in humility. An able yet humble man is a jewel worth a kingdom.
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Where thou art Obliged to speak, be sure speak the Truth: For Equivocation is half way to Lying, as Lying, the whole way to Hell.
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Man, being made reasonable, and so a thinking creature, there is nothing more worthy of his being than the right direction and employment of his thoughts; since upon this depends both his usefulness to the public, and his own present and future benefit in all respects.
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Do good with what thou hast, or it will do thee no good.
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To be a man's own fool is bad enough, but the vain man is everybody's.
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Unless virtue guide us our choice must be wrong.
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