Justice and Righteousness
Traditions emphasize divine justice, righteous conduct, and the social obligation to maintain ethical order. These teachings connect personal morality to societal responsibility.
Amos 5:24
“Let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream.”
Social justice as divine mandate; prophetic call for systemic equity.
Deuteronomy 16:20
“Follow justice and justice alone, so that you may live and possess the land the Lord your God is giving you.”
Justice (tzedakah) as both legal fairness and charity; intrinsic to covenant relationship.
Quran 16:90
“Indeed, Allah orders justice (al-adl) and good conduct and giving to relatives and forbids indecency, bad conduct, and oppression.”
Justice as divine command (amr); foundational to Islamic social and legal systems.
Jatakas 545-547
“The righteous ruler maintains justice; the unrighteous create suffering through partiality and corruption.”
Righteous governance prevents suffering; justice inherent in karma.
Bhagavad Gita 18.41-44
“Courage, generosity, determination, and the practice of one's duty—these are the mark of righteousness (sattvic qualities).”
Righteousness (sattvic dharma) reflects cosmic order; justice maintains cosmic balance (rita).
Tao Te Ching 19
“If I discard righteousness and duty... then people will return to filial piety and parental love.”
Paradoxical Taoist view: forced righteousness breeds vice; natural virtue flows from alignment.