John Rawls — "The social contract is a hypothetical agreement among free and equal persons."

"The difference principle represents, in effect, an agreement to regard the distribution of natural talents as a common asset and to share in the benefits of this distribution whatever it turns out to …"

"The principles of justice apply to the basic structure of society and govern the assignment of rights and duties and regulate the distribution of social and economic advantages."

"The basic liberties are inalienable and cannot be traded off for other goods."

"The fact of reasonable pluralism is a permanent condition of a free democratic society."

"The proper perspective is that of the original position."