A Topic of Moral Theology

Duties of Masters and Servants

The duties of employers and employed to one another: just treatment and wages, faithful service and obedience.

Within this topic

Also asked about as…

bosses · employers and employees · labor · wages · workers (ed.)

In the index as Servant · Obedience (Obedientia) · Master · Servants · OBLIGATIONS of collators to Benefices · Duties of masters toward servants · Inferior · Public offices (Officia Publica) · Duties · Guards · Masters (Domini) · Offices · Power · Artisans · Bad schools · Citizens (Cives) · Disciples · Employers · Instruction of children (office of parents) · Labor · Magistrates (Magistratus) · Parents · Reverence (Reverentia) · Salary

In the manuals

A Manual of Moral Theology for English-Speaking Countries

Vol. I, Bk. VI, Pt. IV, Chapter V. Duties of Masters and Servants, nn. 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5 (5 passages — hover a number to read it)

Manual of Moral Theology (Manuale Theologiae Moralis)

Vol. I, Bk. II, Tr. II, Diss. I, Pt. IV, Section IV. On the Duties of Household Masters and Domestic Servants, nn. ¶1, 719 & 720 (3 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. I, Bk. II, Tr. II, Diss. I, Pt. IV, Section V. On the Duties of Employers and Non-Domestic Servants, or Workers, nn. 721, 722 & 723 (3 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. I, Bk. II, Tr. II, Diss. I, Pt. VII, Sect. I, Ch. II, Art. II, § VII, Point III, Scholion. On Labor, nn. 922, 923 & 924 (3 passages — hover a number to read it)

Institutions of Moral Theology (Institutiones Theologiae Moralis)

Vol. I, On the Precept of Charity, VI. On Scandal, n. 444 — Resolves: Therefore it is not licit to ask, for example, from a notary something opposed to his office. But it is licit to ask the sacraments from an unworthy minister, or an oath from one who is going to commit perjury,… Read in context →

Vol. I, On the Fourth Precept of t…, V. Obligations of Inferiors and Superiors, nn. 692–707 (16 passages)

Vol. II, On the Seventh and Tenth P…, XIV. On Hiring and Leasing, nn. 1203 & 1206 (2 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. III, On the Particular Obligati…, X. On Guards, Merchants, and Artisans, n. 94 — What are the obligations of guards, merchants, and artisans? - Guards are those who are set over the custody of woods, fields, etc., by the Prince or by a private master. Merchants are all those who exercise commerce by … Read in context →

Commentaries on the Nature of Moral Theology, on Conscience and Probabilism, on the Fourth Precept, and on the Sixth and Ninth Precepts of the Decalogue (Commentarii)

Bucceroni, Commentaries (1910), Third Commentary: On the F…, X. On the Obligations of Masters and Servants, nn. 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 149, 150, 151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156 & 157 (26 passages — hover a number to read it)

Cases of Conscience, Proposed by Cardinal de Lugo, by Fr. Beniamino Elbel, by Fr. Ioannes Petrus Gury and by Other Authors, and Resolved (Casus conscientiae)

57. On the Obligations of Masters, Disciples, Subjects, nn. 1, 2 & 3 (13 passages — hover a number to read it)

Compendium of Moral Theology of Fr. John Peter Gury, S.J., with the Notes of Antonio Ballerini, S.J.

Vol. I, Treatise On the Precepts o…, On the Fourth Precept of t…, Ch. IV, Art. I, § I. On the Obligations of Masters, n. 382 (9 passages — hover a number to read it)

Synopsis of Moral and Pastoral Theology

Vol. III, Contracts, and the Obligat…, On the Obligations of Stat…, Chapter I: On the Duties of Laymen, nn. 980, 981, 982, 983, 984, 985, 986, 987 & 988 (9 passages — hover a number to read it)

A Handbook of Moral Theology (Koch–Preuss)

Vol. V, Pt. II, Ch. II, Section 5: The Mutual Duties of Brothers and Sisters and Other Relatives, and of Masters and Servants, nn. ¶1, ¶2, ¶3, ¶4, ¶5, ¶6, ¶7, ¶8, ¶9, ¶10 & ¶11 (11 passages — hover a number to read it)

Theologia Moralis: Principles — Responses — Counsels

Vol. II, Bk. II, Tractate IV: On Observance…, Art. I, § 1. On Masters and Domestic Servants, nn. 329 & 330 (2 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. II, Bk. II, Tractate IV: On Observance…, Art. I, § 2. On Masters of Works and Hired Workmen, nn. 331, 332, 333 & 334 (4 passages — hover a number to read it)

Institutiones Morales Alphonsianae

Vol. I, Pt. II, Sect. II, Tr. IV, CHAPTER IV: On the Mutual Obligations of Inferiors and Superiors, nn. ¶1, ¶2 & ¶3 (3 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. I, Pt. II, Sect. II, Tr. IV, Ch. IV, Art. I, § 1. On the Obligations of Servants, nn. ¶1, ¶705 & ¶706 (3 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. I, Pt. II, Sect. II, Tr. IV, Ch. IV, Art. I, § 2. On the Obligations of Masters, nn. ¶707 & ¶708 (2 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. I, Pt. II, Sect. II, Tr. IV, Ch. IV, Art. II, § 1. On the Obligations of Disciples, n. ¶709 — 709. Principle. Disciples, both from piety toward parents and by reason of the pact entered by parents, owe to their teachers love, reverence, and obedience in those things which pertain to studies and good morals. The r… Read in context →

Vol. I, Pt. II, Sect. II, Tr. IV, Ch. IV, Art. II, § 2. On the Obligations of Teachers, nn. ¶710, ¶711, ¶1, ¶2, ¶712, ¶713, ¶714, ¶715, ¶716, ¶717 & ¶718 (11 passages — hover a number to read it)

Theologia Moralis Sancti Alphonsi: Reduced into a Compendium

Vol. I, TREATISE ON THE PRECEPTS O…, CHAPTER IV: ON THE OBLIGATIONS OF OTHER SUPERIORS AND INFERIORS, nn. ¶1 & ¶2 (2 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. I, TREATISE ON THE PRECEPTS O…, Ch. IV, Art. I, § I. On The Obligations Of Masters, nn. ¶446 & ¶447 (2 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. I, TREATISE ON THE PRECEPTS O…, Ch. IV, Art. I, § II. On The Obligations Of Servants, nn. ¶448 & ¶449 (2 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. I, TREATISE ON THE PRECEPTS O…, Ch. IV, ARTICLE II: ON THE OBLIGATIONS OF TEACHERS AND STUDENTS, nn. ¶450 & ¶451 (2 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. I, TREATISE ON THE PRECEPTS O…, Ch. IV, ARTICLE III: ON THE OBLIGATIONS OF MAGISTRATES AND CITIZENS, nn. ¶452, ¶453, ¶454, ¶455, ¶456, ¶457, ¶458, ¶459, ¶1 & ¶460 (10 passages — hover a number to read it)

Manuale Theologiae Moralis

Vol. II, Tr. XI, Sect. II, Q. II, Observance, and Obedience,…, Ch. II, Parents, Etc, Article IV. On the Obligations of Masters and Servants, nn. ¶68, 595 & 596 (3 passages — hover a number to read it)

Pastoral Questions

Ch. I, Question III: Concerning Masters and Servants, nn. ¶4282–¶4319 (38 passages)

Compendium of Moral Theology

Vol. I, Tr. VI, On the Fourth Precept of t…, Ch. III, Article II. On the Obligations of Masters and Servants, n. 259 — I. Masters are held toward their servants: 1st. To treat them kindly, that is, by addressing and commanding them decently and humanely, by furnishing good and sufficient food, by not burdening them with excessive works, … Read in context →

Palladium Theologicum, Tome V: On the Virtues

Tr. IV, Disputation XIII: On the O…, Sect. I, Question IX: On the mutual obligation of servants and masters, nn. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 & 10 (10 passages — hover a number to read it)

Cases of Conscience for English-Speaking Countries, Volume I

Slater, Cases I, Contracts, Case 2. Dishonest Servants, nn. ¶1, ¶2, ¶3, ¶4, ¶5, ¶6, ¶7, ¶8, ¶9, ¶10, ¶11 & ¶12 (12 passages — hover a number to read it)

Moral Theology: A Complete Course (McHugh & Callan)

Vol. II, Pt. II, Q. III, Art. 2. Duties of Members …, The Duties of Employers, nn. 2646 & 2647 (2 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. II, Pt. II, Q. III, Art. 2. Duties of Members …, The Duties of Employees, n. 2648 — Duties of Employees. Duties of Employees.—(a) Justice.—Workers are bound to give a fair return in quantity and quality of labor for the pay they receive, and to be loyal to their employer as regards his person, reputation, and property. Henc… Read in context →

Vol. II, Pt. II, Q. III, Art. 2. Duties of Members …, Labor Disputes, n. 2649 — Labor Disputes between Employers and Employees. Labor Disputes between Employers and Employees.—(a) In themselves these disputes are indifferent, as they are a species of industrial war (see 1380 sqq.) or of industrial self-defense (1826 sqq.). If the end, the means a… Read in context →

Vol. II, Pt. II, Q. III, Art. 2. Duties of Members …, Employment, n. 2650 — Is There Any Obligation of Giving Employment?—(a) The State certainly has an obligation in legal justice of offering opportunities of work to those who cannot find it, if the public welfare is compromised by widespread u… Read in context →

On the Morals of To-Day

Chapter IX: Strike Ethics, nn. ¶190, ¶191, ¶192, ¶193, ¶194, ¶195 & ¶196 (7 passages — hover a number to read it)

Guide for Catholic Young Women

Chapter XLII: True Idea of Service, nn. ¶507, ¶508, ¶509, ¶510, ¶511, ¶512, ¶513 & ¶514 (8 passages — hover a number to read it)

Chapter XLIII: True Idea of Service. — How to Correspond to It, nn. ¶515, ¶516, ¶517, ¶518, ¶519, ¶520, ¶521, ¶522, ¶523 & ¶524 (10 passages — hover a number to read it)

Chapter XLIV: True Idea of Service.—examples, nn. ¶525, ¶526, ¶527, ¶528, ¶529, ¶530, ¶531, ¶532, ¶533, ¶534 & ¶535 (11 passages — hover a number to read it)

Chapter XLV: On the Choice of a Place, nn. ¶536–¶555 (20 passages)

Chapter XLVI: How to Regard One’s Employers, nn. ¶556, ¶557, ¶558, ¶559, ¶560, ¶561, ¶562, ¶563, ¶564 & ¶566 (10 passages — hover a number to read it)

Chapter XLVII: Continuation.—examples, nn. ¶567–¶585 (19 passages)

Chapter XLVIII: Continuation, nn. ¶586, ¶587, ¶588, ¶589, ¶590, ¶591, ¶592, ¶593 & ¶594 (9 passages — hover a number to read it)

Chapter XLIX: Doctrine of Scripture on This Subject, nn. ¶595, ¶596, ¶597, ¶598, ¶599, ¶600, ¶601, ¶602 & ¶603 (9 passages — hover a number to read it)

Chapter L: Of Diligence, nn. ¶604–¶619 (16 passages)

Chapter LI: Advantages of Diligence, nn. ¶620–¶635 (16 passages)

Summa of Moral Theology (Summa Theologiae Moralis)

Vol. II, Part Second. On the Precep…, Book Fourth. On the Fourth…, Question Second. On Obliga…, Article Third. On the Obli…, Section 1. On the Obligations of Servants, nn. 300, 301 & 302 (3 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. II, Part Second. On the Precep…, Book Fourth. On the Fourth…, Question Second. On Obliga…, Article Third. On the Obli…, Section 2. On the Obligations of Masters, n. 303 — 303. Masters are bound toward their servants: a. to treat them kindly; b. to direct them; c. to pay them a just price. 1. To treat them kindly, that is, to address them humanely, to provide sufficient food, not to burden… Read in context →

Vol. II, Part Second. On the Precep…, Book Fourth. On the Fourth…, Question Second. On Obliga…, Article Fourth. On the Obligations of Employers and Workers, nn. 304, 305, 306 & 307 (4 passages — hover a number to read it)

Socialism: Its Theoretical Basis and Practical Application

Cathrein, Socialism, Appendix, Encyclical Letter of Pope Leo XIII On the Condition of Labor (Rerum Novarum), nn. ¶977–¶1048 (72 passages)

Summa Theologiae Moralis

Vol. II, Special Moral Theology: On…, Treatise: On the Cardinal …, Third Part: Concerning Com…, Sect. C, Ch. III, Question Two: On Letting a…, Article III: On the Letting of Services, or On the Contract of Labor, nn. 550, 551, 556 & 557 (51 passages — hover a number to read it)

Treated under the broader heading Duties to Parents and Superiors (Fourth Commandment) — The Roman Catechism · Spirago · Coppens, Moral Philosophy · Scott, You and Yours · Rickaby, Four-Square · Slater, Religion & Human Interests — these works do not divide the matter as finely as we do here, so their treatment stands one heading up (ed.)