To the public good
Private respects must yield. Milton.

He [Alexander Hamilton] touched the dead corpse of the public credit, and it sprung upon its feet. D. Webster.

Joseph, . . . not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. Matt. i. 19.

Public act or statute (Law), an act or statute affecting matters of public concern. Of such statutes the courts take judicial notice. -- Public credit. See under Credit. -- Public funds. See Fund, 3. -- Public house, an inn, or house of entertainment. -- Public law. (a) See International law, under International. (b) A public act or statute. -- Public nuisance. (Law) See under Nuisance. -- Public orator. (Eng. Universities) See Orator, 3. -- Public stores, military and naval stores, equipments, etc. -- Public works, all fixed works built by civil engineers for public use, as railways, docks, canals, etc.; but strictly, military and civil engineering works constructed at the public cost.

The public is more disposed to censure than to praise. Addison.

In public, openly; before an audience or the people at large; not in private or secrecy. "We are to speak in public." Shak.