
Understanding Justice
Justice: Origin: 1150-1200; Middle English. Strict performance of moral obligations; practical conformity to human or divine law; integrity in the dealings of men with each other; rectitude; equity; uprightness.
Dictionary.com Unabridged | Based on the Random House Dictionary
Justice is one of the four cardinal virtues in classical European philosophy and Roman Catholicism. It is the moderation between selfishness and selflessness.
Wikipedia
- Justice is standards — set the highest.
- Justice is integrity — adherence to moral code and principles.
- Justice is soundness of character — honesty.
- Justice is virtuous — high inner principles and values.
- Justice is upstandingness — holding to the best standards of behavior.
Benefits of Justice
- Justice provides willingness — striving for excellence.
- Justice provides definition — modeling proper principles and moral codes.
- Justice provides integrity — honesty, valor and virtuous.
- Justice provides clarity — defining right from wrong.
- Justice provides balance — between integrity and dishonesty.
Acts of Justice in Everyday Life
- The Bible — In Genesis 18, God started taking action against the people of Sodom. It appears that the wickedness of Sodom had been a long-running state. In chapter 18, some angels came to Abraham, and God gave a message to him. He chose to reveal to Abraham His plans to enact justice on the cities.
- When Under Attack — During a robbery or mugging, when a man puts a woman and or a child behind him in an effort to protect them and keep them safe.
- Advocating for the Weak and Downtrodden — To speak up for those who cannot defend or advocate for themselves, without any though of personal gain.
- Positive Parenting — Teaching children by example that every action is a reflection on the person that we are. Teaching the pride and respect necessary to reflect our best in all that we do.
Methods for Achieving Justice
- Speak Truth — When you are tempted to speak a lie.
- Stand up for Someone — If you are tempted to stand by silently and keep yourself out of it.
- Be Generous — To a stranger you might have been likely to ignore.
- Choose Silence — Rather than boasting or bragging.
- Follow the Rules — In work, play or battle, be ruled by the next right thing.
Golden Mean
Quotes for Justice
- It is in justice that the ordering of society is centered.
- - Aristotle -
- Justice consists not in being neutral between right and wrong, but in finding out the right and upholding it, wherever found, against the wrong.
- - Theodore Roosevelt -
- There in no virtue so truly great and godlike as justice.
- - Joseph Addison -
Recommended Reading
The Autobiography of Martin Luther King, Jr.
— by Martin Luther King
The life and times, along with the philosophical and theological underpinnings of one of the most influential people whose very existence echoes with advocacy and justice. A wonderful read.
The Knight: Book One of The Wizard Knight
— by Gene Wolfe
The Wizard: Book Two of The Wizard Knight
— by Gene Wolfe
A splendid mix of sci-fi and fantasy, Gene Wolfe has written a fascinating series that provides a wonderful journey into chivalry and courage for his readers.
General Rules
Practice virtues daily so that they become ‘habits of the heart’.
Don‘t strive for perfection.
Never give up! Remember: even the greats have off days.
Rely on your intuition.
Avoid extremes. Strive to achieve the golden mean between excess and deficiency of a virtue.
Have fun and enjoy the program with humor and optimism.