Stoicism is a philosophy of life that teaches us how to live in harmony with ourselves, others, and nature. One of the core virtues of Stoicism is justice, which is the ability to treat others fairly and respectfully and to uphold the common good. Justice is not just a matter of following laws or rules but of acting with honesty, benevolence, and impartiality. Justice helps us respect the dignity and rights of others and contribute to society’s well-being. It also allows us to avoid harming or exploiting others for our gain or pleasure.

But how can we practice Stoic justice in our everyday life? Here are some tips and examples to help us cultivate and apply this virtue to different situations.

- Be honest with yourself and others. Honesty is the foundation of justice, requiring us to be truthful and sincere in our words and actions. Honesty helps us avoid lying, cheating, stealing, or deceiving others for our benefit or convenience. Honesty also helps us acknowledge our mistakes and shortcomings and learn from them. To be honest with yourself and others, you can:

- Speak the truth kindly and tactfully without exaggerating or hiding facts.
- Keep your promises and commitments, or communicate clearly if you cannot fulfill them.
- Admit when you are wrong or ignorant and seek feedback and improvement.
- Avoid gossiping, slandering, or spreading rumours about others.
- Respect the privacy and confidentiality of others.

- Be benevolent with yourself and others. Benevolence is the attitude of goodwill and kindness towards ourselves and others. Benevolence helps us act with compassion, generosity, and gratitude towards those in need or who have helped us. Benevolence also helps us forgive ourselves and others for their faults and injuries. To be benevolent with yourself and others, you can:

- Help someone struggling or suffering without expecting anything in return.
- Share your time, skills, resources, or knowledge with those who can benefit from them.
- Express your appreciation and recognition for those who have done something good for you or others.
- Forgive yourself and others for their mistakes or offences without holding grudges or resentment.
- Wish well for yourself and others without envy or jealousy.

- Be impartial with yourself and others. Impartiality is the ability to judge and act without bias or prejudice towards ourselves or others. Impartiality helps us treat everyone equally and fairly, regardless of their status, background, beliefs, or preferences. Impartiality also helps us avoid favouritism, discrimination, or injustice towards anyone. To be impartial with yourself and others, you can:

- Listen to different perspectives and opinions openly, without dismissing or attacking them.
- Evaluate situations and decisions based on facts and evidence, not emotions or assumptions.
- Respect the rights and freedoms of others without infringing or violating them.
- Stand up for what is right and ethical, even if it is unpopular or inconvenient.
- Seek balance and harmony between your interests and those of others.

Stoic justice is a moral duty and a source of happiness and peace. By practicing Stoic justice in our everyday life, we can improve ourselves as human beings and make the world a better place for everyone. As Marcus Aurelius said: “The best way of avenging yourself is not to become like the wrongdoer.”

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