I think that we should be men first, and subjects afterward. It is not desirable to cultivate a respect for the law, so much as for the right.

It is never too late to give up our prejudices.
- Topic: Justice
- Location: Yellowstone National Park
- Photo: Jeffrey Benjamin
More Quotes from Henry David Thoreau
More Quotes from Yellowstone National Park
More on Justice
My experience has shown me that we win justice quickest by rendering justice to the other party.
Every kind of peaceful cooperation among men is primarily based on mutual trust and only secondarily on institutions such as courts of justice and police.
Perfect wisdom has four parts; Wisdom, the principle of doing things right. Justice, the principle of doing things equally in public and private. Fortitude, the principle of not fleeing danger, but meeting it. Temperance, the principle of subduing desires and living moderately.
It is certain, in any case, that ignorance, allied with power, is the most ferocious enemy justice can have.
There is but one thing of real value—to cultivate truth and justice, and to live without anger in the midst of lying and unjust men.
Anyone who has the power to make you believe absurdities has the power to make you commit injustices.
Why should there not be a patient confidence in the ultimate justice of the people? Is there any better or equal hope in the world?
If everyone were clothed with integrity, if every heart were just, frank, kindly, the other virtues would be well-nigh unless, since their chief purpose is to make us bear with patience the injustice of our fellows.
Never be afraid to raise your voice for honesty and truth and compassion against injustice and lying and greed. If all people all over the world would do this, it would change the earth.
