Source: Mathematical Thought from Ancient to Modern Times (1972), p. 253.
“If A were not allowed his better position, B would be even worse off than he is.”
Source: A Theory of Justice (1971; 1975; 1999), Chapter II, Section 17, pg. 103
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John Rawls 63
American political philosopher 1921–2002Related quotes

How much substantial truth there is in these gloomy confessions of this man of painful sincerity.
The Tragic Sense of Life (1913), III : The Hunger of Immortality

But Soviet children are not allowed to do this!
Nobel Peace Prize Speech (1975)

“On ev'ry hand it will allowed be,
He's just—nae better than he should be.”
A Dedication to Gavin Hamilton (1786)

“I will not allow myself to be worse than my fellows.”
Source: The Tenant of Wildfell Hall (1848), Ch. XXXVII : The Neighbour Again; Walter to Helen

“But he would only be allowed it; he could not claim it as his own.”
¶ 13
State Socialism and Anarchism: How Far They Agree, and Wherin They Differ (1888)
Context: What other applications this principle of Authority, once adopted in the economic sphere, will develop is very evident. It means the absolute control by the majority of all individual conduct. The right of such control is already admitted by the State Socialists, though they maintain that, as a matter of fact, the individual would be allowed a much larger liberty than he now enjoys. But he would only be allowed it; he could not claim it as his own. There would be no foundation of society upon a guaranteed equality of the largest possible liberty. Such liberty as might exist would exist by sufferance and could be taken away at any moment. Constitutional guarantees would be of no avail. There would be but one article in the constitution of a State Socialistic country: “The right of the majority is absolute.”