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Justice requires that to lawfully constituted Authority there be given that respect and obedience which is its due; that the laws which are made shall be in wise conformity with the common good; and that, as a matter of conscience all men shall render obedience to these laws.
Pope Pius Xi
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Justice necessitates respect for authority and laws that serve the common good.

This quote by Pope Pius XI emphasizes the moral obligation of individuals to respect and obey lawful authority and the laws it enacts, provided these laws align with the common good. It suggests that justice is not only about adherence to rules but also about the ethical consideration behind those rules, advocating for a society where laws are created with the welfare of all in mind, and where people act out of a sense of conscience in obeying them.

Themes

JusticeObedienceLawAuthorityCommon Good

In practice

Example use cases

In a discussion about the role of government, one could cite this quote to emphasize the importance of lawful authority.

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It is not enough to be a member of the Church of Christ, one needs to be a living member, in spirit and in truth, i.e., living in the state of grace and in the presence of God, either in innocence or in sincere repentance.
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The Rosary is a powerful weapon to put the demons to flight and to keep oneself from sin…If you desire peace in your hearts, in your homes, and in your country, assemble each evening to recite the Rosary. Let not even one day pass without saying it, no matter how burdened you may be with many cares and labors.
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This power becomes particularly irresistible when exercised by those who, because they hold and control money, are able also to govern credit and determine its allotment, for that reason supplying, so to speak, the lifeblood to the entire economic body, and grasping, as it were, in their hands the very soul of production, so that no one dare breathe against their will.
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It violates right order whenever capital so employs the working or wage-earning classes as to divert business and economic activity entirely to its own arbitrary will and advantage, without any regard to the human dignity of the workers, the social character of economic life, social justice, and the common good.
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From it (the Rosary) the young will draw fresh energy with which to control the rebellious tendencies to evil and to preserve intact the stainless purity of the soul. Also in it, the old will again find repose, relief, and peace from their anxious cares. And to all those who suffer in any way, especially the dying, may it bring comfort and increase the hope of eternal happiness.
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The family is more sacred than the state.
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