On Justice
XXVIII. On Justice
1. O God, Who possesses true judgment!
When I remember my sins
I am pensive and fearful.
2. By means of His power, God is just
towards His will and wisdom.
which possess as much thereof (i.e. power) as they wish to have.
3. God bestows as much
bonifying and bonified upon goodness,
as He does loving upon will.
4. Were God idle within Himself,
He would not be just towards <the> glorious
nor powerful (i.e. mighty) towards <His> power.
5. God is just in <His> judgement,
just in <His> forgiveness
and just in rendering them both equal.
6. Were God not to have become incarnate in man,
He would not have exercised justice towards <His> great generosity
as Creator in respect of created being.
7. Justice[1] brings humility,
mercy and compassion
and causes man to become enamoured.
8. He who wishes to judge himself
lies very close to forgiveness
and is on the path to salvation.
9. A just memory,
just love and just thoughts,
are worth more to man than gold or honours.
10. I surrender and entrust myself to justice,
that it do with me as it will,
and I beg its mercy.
11. Mercy and goodwill
have achieved great fellowship
with justice and compassion.
[1] Justice, one of Ramon Llull’s “Dignities”, can also carry the sense of righteousness.