The Virtues Basket: How Do We Achieve Justice?

In a world without justice, everyone suffers. This video from the “Virtues Basket” series explores what justice means and how we can uphold it in our daily lives.

We often talk about justice in the context of laws and governments, but justice has a role even in the smallest actions we take every day. This “Virtues Basket” video explores the concept of justice and outlines practical steps we can take to be more just and to uphold justice in our communities.

Baha’u’llah, the prophet and founder of the Baha’i Faith, wrote the following words about justice:

The best beloved of all things in My sight is Justice; turn not away therefrom if thou desirest Me, and neglect it not that I may confide in thee. By its aid thou shalt see with thine own eyes and not through the eyes of others, and shalt know of thine own knowledge and not through the knowledge of thy neighbor. Ponder this in thy heart; how it behooveth thee to be. Verily justice is My gift to thee and the sign of My loving-kindness. Set it then before thine eyes.

Similarly, in her book “The Family Virtues Guide,” author Linda Popov wrote that to practice justice, we must act without prejudice, search for facts with our own eyes and ears, and think for ourselves. We approach people without prejudice, and we do not decide how to treat others based on their race, gender, religion, place of birth, or social status. Instead, we see the inherent nobility in every person.

We also learn to see beyond our own experience, recognizing the signs of systemic injustice in the world around us, dismantling barriers, and creating opportunities for a more equitable and just society. We stand up not only for our own rights, but for everyone else’s rights, whether we know them or not.

The Baha’i Writings say: “Tread ye the path of justice, for this, verily, is the straight path.” Justice means being fair to ourselves as well as others and making sure that we do not take away from anyone what they deserve. It means being fair in our actions, even when no one is watching, holding ourselves accountable and accepting the consequences when we make mistakes. We act with justice under all circumstances, whether we are at work, at school, with friends, neighbors or even strangers.

But justice requires courage and introspection every day. It is a conscious choice to be an active agent of change wherever we live. Justice requires that we take action to protect the needy, recognize and fight against racism and other forms of prejudice, and actively work to end animosity and hatred -- both in our community and in our own attitudes. Just people think for themselves; they do not become the puppets of injustice.

This “Virtues Basket” video helps us redefine our concept of justice and identify how we want to strengthen its presence in our thoughts and actions.