The purpose of terrorism lies not just in the violent act itself. It is in producing terror. It sets out to inflame, to divide, to produce consequences which they then use to justify further terror.
What we call rational grounds for our beliefs are often extremely irrational attempts to justify our instincts.
Greatness is not manifested by unlimited pragmatism, which places such a high premium on the end justifying any means and any methods.
There is still much debate about whether torture has been effective in eliciting information - the assumption being, apparently, that if it is effective, then it may be justified.
The experience of life that you and I have is pretty much a jigsaw puzzle in the box: Day-to-day experiences of disconnected pieces that don't seem to justify the efforts we make each day.
But let me tell you what happens when regulations go too far, when they seem to exist only for the purpose of justifying the existence of a regulator. It kills the people trying to start a business.
I've always been intrigued by the power of secrets. When is it justifiable to keep them from the ones we love? And does keeping them irrevocably change who we are?
Politics can be relatively fair in the breathing spaces of history; at its critical turning points there is no other rule possible than the old one, that the end justifies the means.
Justifying conscription to promote the cause of liberty is one of the most bizarre notions ever conceived by man! Forced servitude, with the risk of death and serious injury as a price to live free, makes no sense.
I'm not a Hollywood basher because enough good movies come out of the Hollywood system every year to justify its existence, without any apologies.
I believe the American people have a genuine and justifiable fear of government intrusion in what they instinctively know is going to be an ever more intrusive world.
It seems to me we have been in a rhetorical arms race in this country, with each side unwilling to lay down its weapons for fear - usually justified - the other side would beat them to a pulp.
There are so many things a large intelligence espionage organization can do to justify its existence, that people can get promotions for, because it could result in results.
Because Jesus came to secure for us what we could never secure for ourselves, life doesn't have to be a tireless effort to establish ourselves, justify ourselves, validate ourselves.
To leave in search of yourself, of your real needs, is easier when you don't have to justify yourself to anyone, when there are not too many people bestowing you their attention.
The fact that people are in positions does not justify the means that they are leaders. A leader can be blind and to know this, check his sense of vision.
Christians are free to serve and obey God since they are loved, justified, redeemed, reconciled, forgiven, saved, and sustained to the end!
It's funny how guilty people start to question your spirituality and education only because they have nothing to say that will justify their faults.
For years Don Imus was just - boy, he was merciless in his criticism of me. Maybe it was justified, but that didn't mean it didn't hurt.
I was raised in California, so this whole New York winter thing is completely new for me. I've already justified buying seven coats!
As an actor, I endeavor to find the reason in the unreasonable. Because no one thinks they are being unreasonable or unrealistic or demanding or behaving madly. We all see ourselves as being justified.
