Justice vs. Righteousness — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 1, 2024
Justice is the fair application of laws and principles, focusing on societal harmony; righteousness emphasizes moral correctness and personal ethics.
Difference Between Justice and Righteousness
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Justice involves the impartial application of laws and rules to ensure fair treatment and equity in society. It's about maintaining balance and order, often through legal and institutional means. Whereas righteousness is more about personal conduct and moral integrity, focusing on the individual's adherence to ethical standards and virtues.
In the context of a legal system, justice is what guides the procedures and outcomes, aiming to resolve disputes and penalize wrongdoing based on established laws. On the other hand, righteousness is not bound by legal codes but by moral and ethical beliefs, which can vary greatly between cultures and individuals.
Justice is often seen as a collective concept, aiming for the greater good of the community or society at large. It seeks to protect rights, ensure safety, and promote fairness. Whereas righteousness is a personal journey towards ethical perfection, often associated with religious or spiritual beliefs, but also present in secular contexts as a guide for personal behavior.
While justice can be enforced by institutions, like courts and law enforcement agencies, righteousness is self-enforced and guided by conscience and personal values. The enforcement of justice can lead to tangible consequences, such as imprisonment or fines, whereas the consequences of not adhering to righteousness are often intangible, such as guilt or social disapproval.
Justice and righteousness, though distinct, often intersect. For instance, a just society is usually seen as one that promotes and upholds righteousness. However, conflicts can arise when laws are perceived to be unjust or when personal beliefs about what is righteous contradict the laws of the land.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Fair application of laws and principles.
Adherence to moral and ethical standards.
Focus
Societal harmony and order.
Personal moral integrity.
Basis
Legal codes and institutional rules.
Personal or communal ethical beliefs.
Enforcement
By institutions (e.g., courts, law enforcement).
Self-enforced, guided by conscience.
Consequences
Tangible (e.g., fines, imprisonment).
Intangible (e.g., guilt, social disapproval).
Scope
Collective welfare.
Individual conduct.
Legal Framework
Essential component.
Not necessarily tied to legal systems.
Cultural Variance
Less susceptible, as laws are defined.
More susceptible, as morals can vary widely.
Compare with Definitions
Justice
The administration of law according to prescribed and accepted principles.
The justice system seeks to balance the scales for victims and perpetrators alike.
Righteousness
A state of moral purity or virtue.
She pursued righteousness through both thought and deed.
Justice
The concept of moral rightness based on ethics, law, fairness, and equity.
Seeking justice, they campaigned tirelessly for legislative reform.
Righteousness
The condition of being in the right, especially in a moral or ethical sense.
The debate centered on the righteousness of the proposed law.
Justice
The quality of being just, impartial, or fair.
Her dedication to justice inspired her to become a lawyer.
Righteousness
Acting in an upright, moral way as judged by societal or divine standards.
Righteousness guides him to help others without expecting anything in return.
Justice
The fair and impartial treatment of all individuals under the law.
The judge's ruling was a triumph of justice for the wronged party.
Righteousness
Adherence to moral principles, especially when judged by an external source.
The community leader was admired for her righteousness.
Justice
A principle of fairness in protection of rights and punishment of wrongs.
Justice demands that everyone receives equal treatment in court.
Righteousness
The quality of being morally right or justifiable.
His actions were driven by a deep sense of righteousness.
Justice
Justice, in its broadest sense, is the principle that people receive that which they deserve, with the interpretation of what then constitutes "deserving" being impacted upon by numerous fields, with many differing viewpoints and perspectives, including the concepts of moral correctness based on ethics, rationality, law, religion, equity and fairness. Consequently, the application of justice differs in every culture.
Righteousness
Righteousness is the quality or state of being morally correct and justifiable. It can be considered synonymous with "rightness" or being "upright".
Justice
The quality of being just; fairness
In the interest of justice, we should treat everyone the same.
Righteousness
The quality of being morally right or justifiable
We had little doubt about the righteousness of our cause
Conviction of his own moral righteousness gave his oratory an irresistible power
Justice
The principle of moral rightness; decency.
Righteousness
Morally upright; without guilt or sin
A righteous parishioner.
Justice
Conformity to moral rightness in action or attitude; righteousness
Argued for the justice of his cause.
Righteousness
In accordance with virtue or morality
A righteous judgment.
Justice
The attainment of what is just, especially that which is fair, moral, right, merited, or in accordance with law
My client has not received justice in this hearing.
Righteousness
Righteous people considered as a group.
Justice
(Law) The upholding of what is just, especially fair treatment and due reward in accordance with honor, standards, or law
We seek justice in this matter from the court.
Righteousness
(uncountable) The quality or state of being righteous.
Justice
The administration, system, methods, or procedures of law
A conspiracy to obstruct justice.
A miscarriage of justice.
Righteousness
Holiness; conformity of life to the divine law.
Justice
Conformity to truth, fact, or sound reason
The overcharged customer was angry, and with justice.
Righteousness
(countable) A righteous act, or righteous quality.
Justice
Abbr. J.(Law) A judge on the highest court of a government, such as a judge on the US Supreme Court.
Righteousness
The act or conduct of one who is righteous.
Justice
The state or characteristic of being just or fair.
The justice of a description
Righteousness
(theology) The state of being right with God; justification; the work of Christ, which is the ground justification.
Justice
The ideal of fairness, impartiality, etc., especially with regard to the punishment of wrongdoing.
Justice was served.
Righteousness
The quality or state of being righteous; holiness; purity; uprightness; rectitude.
Justice
Judgment and punishment of a party who has allegedly wronged another.
To demand justice
Righteousness
A righteous act, or righteous quality.
All our righteousnesses are as filthy rags.
Justice
The civil power dealing with law.
Ministry of Justice
The justice system
Righteousness
The act or conduct of one who is righteous.
Blessed are they that keep judgment, and he that doeth righteousness at all times.
Justice
A title given to judges of certain courts; capitalized when placed before a name.
Mr. Justice Krever presides over the appellate court
Righteousness
The state of being right with God; justification; the work of Christ, which is the ground of justification.
There are two kinds of Christian righteousness: the one without us, which we have by imputation; the other in us, which consisteth of faith, hope, and charity, and other Christian virtues.
Only for the righteousness of Christ imputed to us, and received by faith alone.
Justice
Correctness, conforming to reality or rules.
Righteousness
Adhering to moral principles
Justice
The quality of being just; conformity to the principles of righteousness and rectitude in all things; strict performance of moral obligations; practical conformity to human or divine law; integrity in the dealings of men with each other; rectitude; equity; uprightness.
Justice and judgment are the haditation of thy throne.
The king-becoming graces,As justice, verity, temperance, stableness, . . . I have no relish of them.
Justice
Conformity to truth and reality in expressing opinions and in conduct; fair representation of facts respecting merit or demerit; honesty; fidelity; impartiality; as, the justice of a description or of a judgment; historical justice.
Justice
The rendering to every one his due or right; just treatment; requital of desert; merited reward or punishment; that which is due to one's conduct or motives.
This even-handed justiceCommends the ingredients of our poisoned chaliceTo our own lips.
Justice
Agreeableness to right; equity; justness; as, the justice of a claim.
Justice
A person duly commissioned to hold courts, or to try and decide controversies and administer justice.
Justice
To administer justice to.
Justice
The quality of being just or fair
Justice
The administration of law; the act of determining rights and assigning rewards or punishments;
Justice deferred is justice denied
Justice
A public official authorized to decide questions bought before a court of justice
Justice
The United States federal department responsible for enforcing federal laws (including the enforcement of all civil rights legislation); created in 1870
Common Curiosities
What is righteousness?
Righteousness is the quality of being morally right or justifiable, often guided by personal, cultural, or religious ethical standards.
How do justice and righteousness differ in focus?
Justice focuses on societal harmony and order through law, while righteousness centers on personal moral integrity and ethical conduct.
Can justice exist without righteousness?
While justice can technically exist without righteousness in a legal sense, the absence of moral integrity can undermine the perceived fairness and legitimacy of laws.
How are justice and righteousness enforced?
Justice is enforced by institutions like courts, whereas righteousness is self-enforced, guided by conscience and personal values.
What are the consequences of failing to adhere to justice and righteousness?
Failing to adhere to justice can result in legal penalties, while failing to uphold righteousness can lead to intangible consequences like guilt or social disapproval.
How do cultural differences impact righteousness?
Cultural differences significantly impact perceptions of righteousness, as moral and ethical standards vary widely across societies.
How do personal beliefs influence perceptions of justice and righteousness?
Personal beliefs greatly influence how individuals perceive justice and righteousness, leading to diverse interpretations based on moral, ethical, and cultural values.
What is justice?
Justice is the fair and impartial application of laws and principles to ensure equitable treatment for all individuals within a society.
What is the relationship between justice and legal systems?
Justice is a foundational principle of legal systems, aimed at ensuring fair treatment, protection of rights, and appropriate punishment of wrongs.
Can righteousness change over time?
Yes, perceptions of righteousness can evolve with changes in societal values, cultural norms, and personal beliefs.
What role does righteousness play in a just society?
Righteousness contributes to the moral foundation of a just society, encouraging ethical behavior and personal integrity among its members.
Is righteousness always legal?
Righteousness may not always align with the law, as it is based on personal or cultural ethics that can sometimes conflict with legal standards.
Is it possible for an action to be just but not righteous?
Yes, an action can be legally just but not righteous if it lacks moral integrity or violates personal or cultural ethical standards.
How do justice and righteousness contribute to societal well-being?
Together, justice and righteousness promote societal well-being by ensuring fair treatment, protecting rights, and encouraging moral and ethical conduct.
Can laws be righteous?
Laws can reflect righteousness when they are based on ethical principles and moral rightness that align with societal values.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
