The Foundation of Justice
One’s Life & Living
Justice is predicated on balance. The common saying “Crime & Punishment” expresses this balance. And yet, Justice is not just about punishment. Justice is about Mercy & Rehabilitation. Further, we can have Justice in the macro such as Just Society or a Just Living, which entails being guided by truth, principle, reason, and fairness.
The Infamous Image of Anubis, the Guardian of the Scales, that dictated the fate of souls. Anubis weighed each heart with feather of Truth “Ma’at”. How much did you live by Truth? Did you sacrifice yourself to Truth and the Cosmic Law (Physical & Metaphysical)?
This also translates to the Cosmic Principle of Yin-Yang (Taoism) and Dharma & Karma (Hinduism & other Indian Religions).
And so, is our Justice Systems just? Can Man’s Law ever on par with Cosmic Law? What can we learn about Justice in its common symbol shown above?
The Dissection of Justitia, Lady Justice
She is a Woman in a Toga. Justice is feminine with a philosophical attitude. Justice is thus open and submitted to the practice of philosophical methods (questioning, critical discussion, rational argument, and systematic presentation) & virtue (prudence, temperance, courage, etc). Furthermore, femininity is of compassion and mercy. And so, it is a balance of punishment vs mercy.
She carries a sword. The sword is seen as strength and courage but even deeper that there is keenness of the sword. It is piercing and sharp. The sword is of clarity and of swiftness. Justice is clear & swift.
She is blind-folded. She is Impartial and Discerns without Bias. The clear vision is without bias nor affiliations. She is unswayed by appearances. She is more in-tuned of the heart and facts of the matter.
She carries a scale signifying a practice of balance. Justice is about balance. It’s more than just balance of evidence or even of guilt or even of punishment. Justice is the activity of maintaining balance at large and at small. Balance is delicate which is why Lady Justice is paired with Lady Prudence, the skill and good judgment in the use of resources and management of affairs. It is the ability to govern oneself.
A Just person is Prudent. A Prudent person is Just. Justice without prudence is fallible. Prudence without justice is irresponsible.
So, I ask you: Are you living Justly? Are you living Prudently? Is our Society Just? Is our Society Prudent? You are the Society. Society is You. You have immense power. Ground oneself (Serpent) and Look within (Mirror).. Change & Evolution is within Our nature. Be swift and keen. Question all that clouds your vision. The truth is revealed when the lies & illusions are dispelled. Justice exists in the Eternal Bond of Responsibility.
