The 60-Second Aquinas
Lesson
Habitually Just
October 6, 1998
In literature, if an evil character does something good, the literary critic determines the action to be either out of character, a sign of a change in the character, or an action with some devilish secret undertone.
The same can be said of anyone. If anyone acts in a way that is different than the norm, there are suspicions or a lack of belief in the act.
It is uncommon for a just man to perform an unjust action, or for an unjust man to perform a just action. The idea of reputations being hard to change applies.
The reason for this is that maintaining justice as a virtue is a habit. Just as prudence is something that needs to be practiced in order to become habitual, so must justice be practiced.
Aquinas again cites Aristotle: "like habits produce like actions" (ST I-II, Q. 18, Art. 5). It is not surprising or difficult for a just man to perform a just act. It is surprising for an unjust man to do so, but after several just acts, the acts become less surprising. Thus, the virtue of justice becomes more ingrained in the individual.
Explanation of The 60-Second Aquinas Lesson
