2Q4 ON THE NOTIONS OF BIGHT AND JUSTICE 



self 47 , that nothing done rightly is without a reward and no 

 sin without a punishment. For, as Christ divinely taught, 

 all our hairs are numbered, and not even a draught of 

 water is given in vain to one who thirsts, and thus nothing 

 is disregarded in the commonwealth of the universe 48 . 

 It is on this account that justice is called universal and 

 comprehends all other virtues 49 , for things which other- 

 wise do not seem to concern any one else, as for instance 

 whether we abuse our own body or our own property, and 

 which are beyond the range of human laws, are neverthe- 

 less forbidden by the law of nature [jus naturale] 50 , that 

 is, by the eternal laws of the Divine Monarchy, since we 

 owe ourselves and all that is ours to God 81 . For as it is 

 of importance to a commonwealth 52 , so much more is it 

 to the universe, that no one should make a bad use of 

 that which is his own 53 . Accordingly from this is derived 



in the world/ Meditation sur la notion commune de la justice (Mollat. 

 p. 62). Cf. Monadology, 55. 



47 * The immortal soul, exposed to no injuries except from itself, 

 is always in the hand and keeping of God, and Christ has divinely 

 bidden us not to fear those who can kill the body but cannot harm 

 the soul.' Dejustitia (Mollat, p. 40). 



48 If a draught of cold water has its reward, what will those 

 receive, who have done something great in human affairs for the 

 glory of God and the common good, seeing that those who bring 

 many to righteousness \justitia] shall shine as the stars.' De tribu* 

 juris naturae et gentium gradibus (Mollat, p. 20). Cf. G. iv. 462, 463. 



49 Cf. Aristotle, Ethics, v. i, H3o a 8. 



50 ' Right [jus] cannot be unjust : that would be a contradiction. 

 But law [lex] may be. For it is power that ordains and upholds 

 law ; and if this power is lacking in wisdom or goodwill, it may 

 ordain and uphold very wicked laws. But happily for the universe, 

 the laws of God are always just, and He is in a position to uphold 

 them, as He undoubtedly does, although He does not always visibly 

 and immediately do so, for which He has doubtless excellent 

 reasons.' Meditation sur la notion commune de la justice (Mollat, p. 61). 



51 ' We were not born merely for ourselves, but others claim for 

 themselves a part of us, and God the whole.' Monita ad Puffendorfii 

 principia, 5 (Dutens, iv. 281). l Quicquid sumus Dei sumus' (Mollat, 



P- 3). 



58 'Saluspublicasupremalex est' (Mollat, p. 3). 



53 * For when we are vicious, we not only injure ourselves, but 



