Human affairs inspire in noble hearts only two feelings-admiration or pity.
Anatole FranceRead
Justice is the means by which established injustices are sanctioned
Interpretation
Justice often protects existing inequalities rather than correcting them.
Anatole France's quote suggests that the concept of justice, as it is often practiced, may serve to uphold and legitimize systemic injustices rather than provide true fairness or equity. This cynicism about the justice system implies that what is deemed 'just' can be influenced by those in power, reinforcing instead of rectifying societal wrongs.
In practice
In a discussion about legal reforms, one might say, 'As Anatole France noted, justice often reflects the status quo rather than challenging it.'
Human affairs inspire in noble hearts only two feelings-admiration or pity.
Awaken people's curiosity. It is enough to open minds, do not overload them. Put there just a spark.
In its majestic equality, the law forbids rich and poor alike to sleep under bridges, beg in the streets and steal loaves of bread.
There is a certain impertinence in allowing oneself to be burned for an opinion.
Lovers who love truly do not write down their happiness.
A person is never happy except at the price of some ignorance.
Farewell! a long farewell to all my greatness!
I have finally decided to write my book on the spiritual life. I mean to put down as simply as possible the sort of ascetical or mystical teaching that I have been living and preaching so long. I call it 'Le Milieu Divin,' but I am being careful to include nothing esoteric and the minimum of explicit philosophy.
We anticipate a time when the love of truth shall have come up to our love of liberty, and men shall be cordially tolerant and earnest believers both at once.
My desire was no less than before, you understand, but I no longer identified with the desire. Perhaps that is why taking them too seriously, we not only increase our susceptibility to disappointment, we actually create a climate inhospitable to the free and easy fulfillment of those desires.
What is more insane than to be partakers of the Sacraments of the Lord and not partakers of the words of the Lord? These men truly have to say: "In Thy Name we have eaten and drunk," and they will have to hear: "I do not know you!" (Luke 13:26-27). They eat and drink His Body and Blood in the Sacrament and do not recognize in the Gospel His members spread over the whole world, and for this reason they are not numbered among them at the Judgment.
A retaliator behaves like a hawk when he is attacked by a hawk, and like a dove when he meets a dove. When he meets another retaliator he plays like a dove. A retaliator is a conditional strategist. His behaviour depends on the behaviour of his opponent.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.