Who said “Man's capacity for justice makes democracy possible, but man's inclination to injustice…”?

Verified

Reinhold Niebuhr. A published source records them saying or writing it.

SourceThe Children of Light and The Children of Darkness (1944)

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“Man's capacity for justice makes democracy possible, but man's inclination to injustice makes democracy necessary.”
VerifiedThe Children of Light and The Children of Darkness (1944) · evidenceDemocracy
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Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: The Children of Light and The Children of Darkness (1944).

APA

Niebuhr, R. (n.d.). Man's capacity for justice makes democracy possible, but man's inclination to injustice makes democracy necessary. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/13188-mans-capacity-for-justice-makes-democracy-possible-but/

MLA

Niebuhr, Reinhold. “Man's capacity for justice makes democracy possible, but man's inclination to injustice makes democracy necessary.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/13188-mans-capacity-for-justice-makes-democracy-possible-but/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Niebuhr, Reinhold. “Man's capacity for justice makes democracy possible, but man's inclination to injustice makes democracy necessary.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/13188-mans-capacity-for-justice-makes-democracy-possible-but/.