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The sad duty of politics is to establish justice in a sinful world.
Reinhold Niebuhr
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Politics serves the challenging role of creating fairness in an imperfect world.

Reinhold Niebuhr's quote reflects the complex nature of politics as both a necessary and often arduous endeavor. It acknowledges that while the world may be flawed and marred by injustice, the responsibility of political leaders is to strive for justice, indicating that such efforts are inevitable yet solemn in the face of human imperfection. It emphasizes the moral duty to work towards a just society despite the inherent struggles of human nature.

Themes

PoliticsJusticeSinDutyWorld

In practice

Example use cases

During a speech on moral responsibility in governance.

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Religion is so frequently a source of confusion in political life, and so frequently dangerous to democracy, precisely because it introduces absolutes into the realm of relative values.
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The mastery of nature is vainly believed to be an adequate substitute for self mastery.
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Forgiveness is the final form of love.
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God, give me grace to accept with serenity the things that cannot be changed.
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