Blaise Pascal Quotes

The strongest is never strong enough to always be the master unless he transforms strength into right…

Justice without force is powerless; force without justice is tyrannical.

Justice is the first virtue of those who command, and stops the complaints of those who obey.

Where there's no might there's no right.

As men could not make might obey right, they have made right obey might.

Justice remains the greatest power on earth. To that tremendous power alone will we submit.

Force and right are the governors of this world; force till right is ready.

Force does not constitute right... obedience is due only to legitimate powers.

Might was the measure of right.

Don't be deceived. There is no justice but strength.

Since all people do not do their duty and some, on the contrary, commit injustices, for the sake of keeping order in society, injustices and all enterprises against this order must be repressed: which was possible only through authority given to some over others, and which made government necessary.

Virtue without terror is powerlessness.

Between the people and their enemies there can be nothing in common but the sword; we must govern by iron those who cannot be governed by justice; we must oppress the tyrant...

Free people can treat each other justly, but they can't make life fair. To get rid of the unfairness among individuals, you have to exercise power over them. The more fairness you want, the more power you need. Thus, all dreams of fairness become dreams of tyranny in the end.

It is right that what is just should be obeyed. It is necessary that what is strongest should be obeyed.

While might certainly does not make right, neither does right by itself make might.

There is no real force without justice.

Unjust force can never give any just dominion.

You may have the might, but that does not necessarily make you right.

Power acquired by violence is only a usurpation, and lasts only as long as the force of him who commands prevails over that of those who obey.

All political questions, all matters of right, are at bottom only questions of might.

In matters of government, justice means force as well as virtue.

The opinion of the strongest is always the best.

Might and right govern everything in this world; might till right is ready.

… the great vitality and durability of institutions which place right on the side of might