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About this quote

What does it mean?
A country's legitimacy depends on its justice and wisdom.
In plain terms
Justice makes a country worthy of belonging.
What can you take from it?
Justice defines a nation's worth.

Where it applies

  • political evaluation
  • civic pride
  • policy review

Putting it to work

  • assess governance
  • demand justice

Questions to consider

  • What makes a nation good?
  • Do we deserve our country?

Another view

It ignores other national qualities like culture.

More from Edmund Burke

  1. Free trade is not based on utility but on justice.

    Permalink to quote #157
  2. Never despair; but if you do, work on in despair.

    Permalink to quote #159
  3. By gnawing through a dike, even a rat may drown a nation.

    Permalink to quote #156

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