Motto, quoted in Locorum Communium Collectanea (1563)
Fiat iustitia et pereat mundus.
“Though it cost the blood of millions of white men, let it come. Let justice be done.”
“Do what is right, though the world may perish.”
This is quoted as Kant in Building Academic Language: Essential Practices for Content Classrooms, Grades 5-12 (2007) by Jeff Zwiers, p. 202, but apparently derives from Kant's arguments in support of the far older Latin proverb Fiat iustitia, pereat mundus — "Do what is right though the world should perish." which was the subject of an essay: "Kant on the Maxim 'Do What Is Right Though the World Should Perish'" by Sissela Bok, in Argumentation 2 (February 1988). There was also a similar latin proverb Fiat iustitia ruat caelum — Let justice be done though the heavens fall.
Misattributed
IX, 31
Meditations (c. 121–180 AD), Book IX
Context: Let there be freedom from perturbations with respect to the things which come from the external cause; and let there be justice in the things done by virtue of the internal cause, that is, let there be movement and action terminating in this, in social acts, for this is according to thy nature.
“Let’s speak of justice as present in the world, as independent and self-perpetuating.”
"Complete Hero" (2009)
“The work of the world must still be done,
And minds are many though truth be one.”
The Echo.
Introduction
The Portable Matthew Arnold (Viking Press, 1949)
1910s, The Fourteen Points Speech (1918)
Source: Meditations (c. AD 121–180), Book IX, 31
1990s, Inaugural celebration address (1994)
Context: We are both humbled and elevated by the honour and privilege that you, the people of South Africa, have bestowed on us, as the first President of a united, democratic, non-racial and non-sexist government.
We understand it still that there is no easy road to freedom
We know it well that none of us acting alone can achieve success.
We must therefore act together as a united people, for national reconciliation, for nation building, for the birth of a new world.
Let there be justice for all.
Let there be peace for all.
