One person stole food because he was hungry and could not afford it, and the other had the money for food but stole because he was greedy; is it just that they receive the same punishment?
First, what is justice in the first place? Justice is the equality that gives every person their right; it is the balance and peace, and that each person takes responsibility for their actions without discrimination.
Justice is not merely a word or a slogan we carry, but the balance of truth: to give every person what they deserve, and for each of us to bear the outcome of our actions without discrimination between lower status or higher status; for in the end, we are all human, and we must always walk the path of justice, as justice is peace among others.
And just as Victor Hugo said in Les Misérables: “He saw before him two truths: the truth of the law, which was unchanged, and the truth of mercy, which had not been accounted for. He saw that human justice could be incomplete, and that there is a higher and supreme justice that begins where the law ends… God’s justice, which manifests in human forgiveness.”
While those of the other opinion see that if we were to apply equality, the hard worker would be wronged; where a student spent ten continuous hours studying while the other student didn’t study at all, is it just that they get the same result?
But in truth, justice is not equality in the outcome; rather, justice is in the opportunity and judging according to effort. While objectors say: he who possesses power is the one who can control justice, and the word justice is merely a word used by the powerful to justify their decisions.
So I say: and this is what I mean, why do we need an independent law above everyone so that justice does not remain the viewpoint of the powerful?
And in the novel “The Chronicles of Narnia” by C.S. Lewis, specifically in the scene of betrayal and justice, when Edmund betrayed his siblings and went to the White Witch, the White Witch said based on the law: “According to the Deep Magic from the Dawn of Time… every traitor’s blood belongs to me.”
King Aslan did not refuse and did not make any objection, and King Aslan did not destroy justice nor did Edmund die; rather, King Aslan offered himself as a ransom for Edmund! And the White Witch killed him at night on the Stone Table.
And this is what we call merciful justice; the innocent bore the punishment of the guilty.
This is how justice is; so no, it is not just to judge both with the same punishment, because their intentions were not the same. We must first look at the intention, then the circumstance, then the damage; this is what Aslan did, and as Aristotle called it: “Justice with equity.”
Justice is much deeper than we think, and it is not merely a punishment received by the guilty; justice is the balance among everyone that achieves peace.
Author’s Note
This piece, or rather this article, reflects my opinion, and I believe it expresses true justice in a somewhat profound way.
About Author
I am Ariella, an Egyptian writer passionate about words and art. For me, writing is not just a hobby, but a way of life and a means to express my thoughts in different creative forms. Between reading, drawing, and art, I am always searching for new worlds, driven by endless curiosity and a deep love for exploring the different and the unexpected.
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