Disputation XIII: On the Other Virtues Annexed to Justice

JUSTICE, beyond the other virtues, holds this privilege, that it makes man concordant with God, with himself, and with his neighbor; hence, in its full breadth, it is a kind of general virtue, nor does it take command of the soul before it is attended by a great company of many virtues and is secure in its own dominion; we have weighed its chief rights and duties down to this point; we have also examined the vices which have waged perpetual war against it. There remain, then, here certain handmaid virtues, perpetually serving Justice; it pleases us now to examine them: And first occurs Piety, exhibiting a benevolent regard toward one's country, parents, etc.; Second, Observance, rendering due honor to superiors; Third, Dulia, which venerates the saints and all that belongs to them; Fourth, Obedience, omitting nothing commanded; Fifth, Gratitude, in which the benefit remains stored in the depths of the mind, so that it may repay it in due time; Sixth, finally, Vindication confronts us, which does not leave unpunished the injury done to Justice. Against these are opposed many vices, more than there are virtues, since evil is wont to divide into more heads than good, which is the more secure with united forces. I shall treat each with my usual brevity.