The Burden Of Justice: Vices Of An Unjust Person

Justice cannot be completely defined, rather, it is a concept. A concept covers many subject areas but it tends to refer to the ideal state of something. Many aspects of the concept of justice are explained in the Republic by Plato, but one significant aspect of justice discussed is that it can be considered a burden, “On the contrary, they think it of the burdensome kind: the one that must be practiced for the sake of the wages and the popularity that come from good reputation, but that is to be avoided just because of itself” (350a). According to Republic by Plato, justice is considered a burden because, to be a just person, a man must refrain from meddling in the virtues within justice, take responsibility for his actions if he does meddle, and endure the resulting consequences for if a man does not behave justly, then he is doomed to fail.

Justice is a burden because it is difficult to not only refrain from meddling in other people’s work but also to avoid interrupting the virtues that make up justice. As Socrates and other wise men seek to find justice in their ideal city, they better understand the true concept of justice. Eventually, Socrates comes to the conclusion that justice can be somewhat defined as “doing one’s own work and not meddling with what is not one’s own” (433b). A just person refrains from meddling in matters that should not be meddled with to avoid escalating certain situations. For instance, if two people were to start an argument such as the best way to cut an apple, a just man retracts from the trivial argument before the situation intensifies and minds his own business. A just person leaves the three virtues (wisdom, courage, and temperance) of justice alone in harmony while an unjust person tries to interrupt the balance: “So, meddling and exchange among these three classes is the greatest harm that can have happened to the city and would rightly be called the worst evil one could do to it” (434c). By meddling in these virtues of justice, the harmony between them is interrupted causing unnecessary harm which leads to injustice. However, a person can find it burdensome to keep from following the natural inclination to meddle within the three virtues of justice. 

Responsibility is a burden; therefore, the responsibility of justice is a burden. Justice and responsibility are directly related; a person must be responsible if he is to be considered just. Most people would not choose this responsibility of their own accord: “This, some would say is strong evidence that no one is just willingly, but only when compelled” (360c). Every person must make the arduous decision to either act irresponsibly or responsibly. Most people would always choose the unjust or irresponsible route for as responsibility is associated with justice, irresponsibility is associated with injustice. According to Plato, even a person who appears to be just still chooses the unjust route if he does not have to endure horrible consequences for his choices, “No one believes justice to be a good thing when it is kept private, since whenever either person thinks he can do injustice with impunity, he does it” (360c). A truly just man is righteous and does not think about either the good or bad consequences of what he does, rather, he makes responsible choices and chooses what is best for everyone involved. There is little to no benefit for a truly just man as he must make responsible decisions despite receiving no awards. A truly just man accepts this responsibility and carries the burden of justice to avoid certain failure.

Justice is a burden because of the consequences each man must endure for the decisions he makes in his life. Although a just person may make all the right decisions, he still may end up in a worse state than an unjust person. Unjust people tend to cheat their lives away, deceiving Greek gods and humans alike, “That is why they say, Socrates, that gods and humans provide a better life for the unjust person than for the just one” (362c). Some people only put on appearances of justice to reap the good consequences of behaving justly. An unjust man might act justly only for the sake of a good reputation “[f]or a reputation of justice would bring him honor and rewards, so that it would not be clear whether he is being just for the sake of justice, or for the sake of those honors and rewards” (361c). A truly just person is not only just because of the consequences he might face, but because he is doing what is truly right. For example, Jesus’s death was a consequence of acting justly. God sent His son to die for every person’s sin for the atonement of humanity’s crimes. A person chooses to act justly despite the consequences because justice serves a greater purpose than simply benefitting the person. Therefore, a truly just man still faces the burden of making choices and reaping those consequences, whether those consequences are good or bad. 

Christians are called to be imitators of Jesus Christ. As such, each Christian must follow His example of justice as closely as possible. A just person does not meddle in the virtues of justice, behave irresponsibly, or only expect good consequences for his good behavior. A person who only acts justly when the outcomes are good is not a truly just person. Even though behaving in a just manner is burdensome and takes a toll on a person, it is better for the world to be filled with just people instead of lawlessness and injustice. The consequences of such a world would be a sad and fallen state with only the pleasures of wicked people.