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.
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
The Wizard: Book Two of The Wizard Knight
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.