The virtue of justice

"Strive ye then with all your heart to treat compassionately all humankind - except for those who have some selfish, private motive, or some disease of the soul. Kindness cannot be shown the tyrant, the deceiver, or the theif, because, far from awakening them to the error of their ways, it maketh them to continue in their perversity as before." -Abdu'l-Bahá (from the Writings of the Bahá'i Faith).
We all have potentially, over 400 different virtues inside our hearts, crossing the boundaries (created by man) of all the different religions of the world. Love is love, no matter which heart it lives, and compassion is the same, world over. Here we meet, emerging into one heart. This seems to be the reason we are here on earth, to develop our virtues, in preparation for another journey into the invisible worlds. Only through suffering can we really understand our virtues. Forgiveness has no meaning without something hurtful to forgive. How would we know that we even have forgiveness, if we didn't experience the opposite side of it? How would we appreciate gentleness, if we hadn't experienced roughness? How could we experience the joy of self-confidence, if we hadn't felt alone and small first? The virtues are who we really are....not something negative and destructive. The virtues, or noble character, steers the ship of destiny and takes us where we were meant to be. Choice, however, can distract our journey and lead us into darkness, from where we can learn about the power of Light.
Recently, before an operation, I held the surgeon's hands in mine, and said to him: "I call upon the power of excellence" and he bowed his head in a humble gesture, and said: "I will do my very best for you". If you are having a difficult time with someone acting out negative character, name the virtue that you need/want from them. If a child is being aggressive, call upon his gentleness and calmness rather than screaming at him or blaming, calling him names etc. Look at one another, and see each other's virtues, acknowledge them and bring out the best in one another. You can change a disruptive, unpeaceful family into a wonderful world, where you can enjoy harmony, respect, love and forgiveness.

The virtue of justice