Has the virtue of justice an act which is particularly proper to it, especially in so far as it is particular justice?
Yes, and this act is called the judgment, which consists
in determining precisely what is due to each person;
whether this judgment be given in an official capacity
between two parties at law, or whether for love of right
in itself the judgment be given for all and for all time
in the desire to appreciate even within the soul the rights
of everyone to existence and possession (LX.).
Ought this judgment, which is the act of the virtue of justice, to interpret doubtful things in a good sense?
Yes, whenever it has reference to our neighbour and
his'acts justice should never either internally or externally
judge in a bad sense so long as there remains any doubt
about the motives of our neighbour and his acts (LX. 4).
But if, however, there is doubt with regard to things that might be
hurtful to oneself or to others, may not one be suspicious and take
precautions?
Yes, legal justice, and prudence, and charity demand
that when there is question of some evil to ourselves or
to others we should be on our guard even though our
suspicions may arise from conjecture only (LX. 4, Obj. 3).
But even in this case is no reservation to be made?
Yes, even when it is right to take precautions one must
not either in words or in thought pronounce a formal
judgment which is prejudicial to another (ibid.).
Next
- The Catechism of the Summa - SECOND SECTION - A DETAILED SURVEY OF
MAN'S RETURN TO GOD - XIX. OF PARTICULAR JUSTICE, AND OF ITS SPECIES:
OF DISTRIBUTIVE AND OF COMMUTATIVE JUSTICE
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