A Theory of Justice (Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, 1971)

Their wordsA theory however elegant and economical must be rejected or revised if it is untrue; likewise laws and institutions no matter how efficient and well-arranged must be reformed or abolished if they are unjust.

Their wordsEach person possesses an inviolability founded on justice that even the welfare of society as a whole cannot override.

Their wordsTherefore in a just society the liberties of equal citizenship are taken as settled; the rights secured by justice are not subject to political bargaining or to the calculus of social interests.

Their wordsThe principles of justice are chosen behind a veil of ignorance.

Their wordsThe natural distribution is neither just nor unjust; nor is it unjust that persons are born into society at some particular position.

Their wordsWhat is just and unjust is the way that institutions deal with these facts.

Their wordsFirst: each person is to have an equal right to the most extensive basic liberty compatible with a similar liberty for others.

Their wordsBeing first virtues of human activities, truth and justice are uncompromising.

Their wordsPurity of heart, if one could attain it, would be to see clearly and to act with grace and self-command from this point of view.

Their wordsNo one deserves his greater natural capacity nor merits a more favorable starting place in society.