"The sad duty of politics is to establish justice in a sinful world"
- Reinhold Niebuhr
About this Quote
This quote by Reinhold Niebuhr speaks with the uphill struggle of politics in a world that is inherently flawed. It acknowledges that politics is an unfortunate responsibility, as it is tasked with the obligation of developing justice in a world that has lots of sin. This quote suggests that politics is a difficult job, as it is typically confronted with the difficulty of trying to develop a sense of justice in a world that has lots of oppression. It likewise suggests that politics is a necessary evil, as it is the only way to produce a sense of justice in a world that has plenty of sin. This quote acts as a reminder that politics is a difficult job, however it is likewise a necessary one in order to develop a more simply and equitable society.
"Well, I think any time you delve into this sort of religion, politics, as you well know, you're going to, you know, touch a few nerves. I wasn't - now - and this is the honest truth"