Some invariants are so obvious, we may feel they hardly justify being mentioned.

But that can hardly justify an inquiry of this length and ambition.

But even taken at face value, the report's findings hardly justify putting oil exploration on hold.

Such practices hardly justify a thank you from the United States.

But for the many, they hardly justify high tuition.

But this hardly justifies making the school year longer.

But that hardly justifies holding an entire state budget hostage.

She liked speed, but the winding road hardly justified the pace they were going.

I really can hardly justify myself if I speak before any third person.

But that hardly justifies putting the entire city's future at risk.