Full Idea
The laws of natural justice, lacking any natural sanctions, are unavailing among men. In fact, such laws merely benefit the wicked and injure the just, since the just respect them while others do not do so in return.
Gist of Idea
Natural justice, without sanctions, benefits the wicked, who exploit it
Source
Jean-Jacques Rousseau (The Social Contract (tr Cress) [1762], II.06)
Book Reference
Rousseau,Jean-Jacques: 'The Social Contract', ed/tr. Cranston,Maurice [Penguin 1972], p.81
A Reaction
This seems a very accurate observation, and points us towards either contracts, or a justification of the use of force by good people.