5 shocking phrases about justice

Certain phrases about justice can help us elucidate the meaning of this very complex concept. What is fair or unfair can have many interpretations and be sensitive to many circumstances, depending on the perspective. to be adopted.

Throughout history, different religions, philosophies and legal codes have defined – and propagated – ideas about what is fair and also what is not. The common purpose, however, as seen in various phrases about justice, is define the behaviors that lead to greater harmony in society.

It was in the Roman Empire where this topic began to be discussed in depth. One of the first jurists in history was Ulpiano and one of his phrases about justice says: “Justice is the constant and perpetual will to give (grant) each person their right.”.

Add that being fair is “live honestly not hurt anyone and give everyone what belongs to them ”. This generalization is quite valid. However, there are other phrases about justice that allow us to expand the concept. These are some of them.

1. Justice and the law

This is one of the phrases about justice that was written by Montesquieu. He says like this: “A thing is not fair just because it is law. It should be law because it is fair”. This is a statement that is problematic in itself, but also very true.

The law does not always coincide with justice and this has been one of the great bottlenecks for societies. It raises the dilemma of acting fairly or following the law. Hence the importance of promoting and endorsing just laws, and at the same time denouncing and fighting for the repeal of unjust ones.

2. One of Seneca’s phrases about justice

There are many Roman thinkers who reflected on what is just. One of them was Seneca, a fantastic thinker well ahead of his time. One of his phrases about justice says: “Nothing looks so much like injustice like late justice”.

The precision it makes is essential, since For something to be fair, it must not only grant everyone their rights, but also do so in time.. This not only applies to the legal or social field, but also to interpersonal relationships and their vicissitudes.

3. Justice and the judge

Francisco de Quevedo has one of the most powerful phrases about justice. He points out: “Criminals do less harm than a bad judge”. He is absolutely right, insofar as a criminal does specific damage, but a bad judge can have enough influence to pervert society as a whole.

If judges cannot be trusted to do justice, injustice becomes law. This also applies to everyday life. Sometimes others are judged so wrongly and unfairly that the error they may have committed ends up being less harmful than the one that justice commits by imposing a certain penalty on them.

4. The good and the fair

Victor Hugo gave us a very profound phrase, which is valid in the most varied circumstances. He said: “Being good is easy; what’s difficult is being just”. Kindness is often confused with justice, when they are not really synonyms.

Unfortunately, there are times when kindness leads to impunity. A fault is forgiven or overlooked, depending on mercy. However, this can become an inadequate precedent, which does not lead to justice but rather to blurring the border of what is permitted and what is prohibited.

5. Justice and peace

Curiously, the following phrase was said by a combat man, World War II hero and great soldier: Dwight D. Eisenhower. It is a statement that expresses a truth that should never be forgotten. It reads like this: “Peace and justice are two sides of the same coin”.

The main function of justice is to maintain peace and harmony among human beings.. All legal codes and moral norms have been made for this. The final purpose is to guarantee a good coexistence between human beings. Therefore, where there is justice there is peace, just as where injustice reigns, conflict also flourishes.

It takes honesty and maturity to define what is fair or not in each situation; something that also demands generosity and honesty. Let us think that, to a certain extent, we all act as judges, both of ourselves and of others. Thus, perhaps these phrases about justice are a guide for us to better understand this concept, accumulating greater success when putting it into practice.

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