I was wondering if anyone could help me source this quote. I thought it was from Augustine of Hippo's 'City of God', book IV.

"In the absence of justice, what is sovereignty but organised brigandage"

Can anyone tell me if this is right or wrong? I would soo appreciate it, and be very impressed at the same time. Rather desperate!

I did this myself and still cannot find a complete source. I got that it was from the City of God but cannot find a translation anywhere with a chapter and page number for this specific quote. That's all I really need. Thanks for trying though.

I need to cite this in an essay and I am having trouble finding which book that this quote has come from - I believe it is in City of God going off a few different websites. If I can't find some sort of source for the quote then I won't be able to use it. So, I was wondering if anyone else was big on Augustine and could help me out a bit. I need a chapter and page reference at the very least, from any translation which actually has the quote in it. I have been looking for days and I'm totally clueless

The City of God - Google Books

Book 4, Chapter 4, page 101 according to this site. The translation is slightly different to what you've quoted. Hope that helps.

This translation would be a little bit different, yes same idea but still going to mess up my introduction a little bit. Like you say Kenneth, the quote will differ between translations. Thanks so much for that though Josh, it's the closest I have got for the moment, no doubt about that.

I have read that this translation is from a book by GG Walsh so that's my next stop if I get a preview somehow.

Thanks all soo much for your help, it's really appreciated. I have swine flu at the moment but have a deadline approaching so I have to try and get around my smudgy brain somehow!

"Remota itaque iustitia quid sunt regna nisi magna latrocinia' (Aug. civ. 4, 4). The original quote is of course in Migne's Patrologia Latina. Who needs translations? ;-)