Benjamin Franklin’s Virtue of Justice: Doing What’s Right (Even When It’s Inconvenient)

The world is spinning at breakneck speed and is filled with shortcut culture. We have a “what’s in it for me” attitudes, and headlines that read more like courtroom drama. It is it’s refreshing to revisit one of Benjamin Franklin’s most powerful virtues: Justice.

Franklin defined justice simply but profoundly: “Wrong none by doing injuries or omitting the benefits that are your duty.” In other words: don’t hurt people, and don’t withhold help when it’s within your power to do good. That’s it. No law degree required. Just a conscience, a little courage, and maybe a post-it note on your fridge that says “Be decent today.”

But how do we live this out in 2025, when life is noisy, demanding, and sometimes just plain unfair?

Let’s break this down and explore how Franklin’s virtue of justice can lead to a better life, stronger relationships, and, yes, even more success.

Justice Isn’t Just for Judges

When people hear “justice,” they often think of courtrooms, gavels, and someone yelling “Objection!” in a bad legal drama. But Franklin wasn’t talking about litigation—he was talking about character.

Living justly means acting with fairness, honesty, and responsibility in our everyday decisions. It’s how you treat your coworker when they mess up. It’s whether you return that extra $20 the cashier accidentally gave you. It’s about owning your role in the world and recognizing that your actions (or inactions) matter.

Justice isn’t about being perfect. It’s about trying to do what’s right—especially when no one’s watching.

The Two Sides of Justice: Harm and Help

Franklin’s genius was in identifying not just the harm we cause through action but also through neglect.

Let’s be honest: most of us aren’t out here robbing banks or plotting evil like comic book villains. But we might “omit the benefits that are our duty” more often than we realize.

• You see someone struggling at work but think, “Not my job.”

• You could support a local cause, but it’s easier to scroll.

• Your friend is in a tough spot, but you avoid the call because it’s uncomfortable.

Justice challenges us to show up—not just to avoid harm, but to lean into kindness, empathy, and action.

Success Without Justice Is Failure in Disguise

A lot of modern success stories are built on stepping over others. But here’s the catch: when you compromise your integrity, success becomes hollow. That’s one of the key takeaways from my book Moral Compass—real success is built on values, not vanity metrics.

Franklin’s justice principle reminds us that how we achieve matters more than what we achieve. A promotion earned by fairness will always be more fulfilling than one earned by throwing someone under the bus.

(Also, if you’re regularly throwing people under the bus, please stop. Buses are expensive. And people are valuable.)

Justice in the Workplace

Want to lead a team that trusts you? Want a business that people actually believe in? Start with justice.

• Be transparent in communication.

• Give credit where it’s due.

• Don’t play favorites—play fair.

Research shows that organizations with strong ethical cultures experience higher productivity, lower turnover, and greater employee satisfaction. In short, doing right is not just right—it’s good business.

You don’t need a title to be a leader. Practicing justice in your workspace—whether you’re the CEO or the intern—sets a tone that influences others.

Justice at Home

Here’s where it gets personal. Practicing justice in your family means listening before you speak, apologizing when you mess up, and being present even when you’re tired.

Justice says: “I see you. I value you. I will not ignore your needs just because I’m busy or distracted.”

For parents, this might mean putting down the phone and being available. For spouses, it could mean sharing the load even when it’s not “your turn.” For siblings, it might just mean not eating the last slice of pizza without asking. (Let’s aim high, folks.)

What Does Justice Look Like in 2025?

We’re bombarded by opinions, agendas, and cancel culture. It’s easy to be reactive and hard to be reflective. But justice thrives in reflection.

Before speaking, ask:
“Is it true?”
“Is it fair?”
“Is it necessary?”

Before making a decision:
“Does this help or harm others?”
“Am I ignoring a responsibility to someone who needs me?”

We don’t need to be perfect, but we do need to be awake to the ripple effects of our choices.

One Last Thing: Don’t Let Cynicism Win

The hardest part about justice today is that sometimes it feels like no one else is playing by the same rules. You try to do right, and someone else cuts corners and gets ahead. That’s frustrating. It’s tempting to say, “Forget it—what’s the point?”

But justice isn’t about keeping score. It’s about living in alignment with your values—about laying your head down at night knowing you tried to leave the world a little better than you found it.

When you choose justice, you’re choosing character. And that’s always worth it—even if no one claps.

Final Thought (With a Smile)

Benjamin Franklin never lived in the age of social media, but I bet if he had, his posts would’ve been fire. #VirtueGoals

So let’s bring back some old-school wisdom with new-school impact. Practice justice—not just in public, but in private. Not just when it’s easy, but especially when it’s hard. You’ll build trust, strengthen your influence, and live a life that actually matters.

And if you ever get off track? Don’t worry—I wrote Moral Compass to help people like us get pointed back in the right direction.

Justice isn’t just for philosophers or founding fathers. It’s for teachers, truck drivers, baristas, entrepreneurs—and yes, even psychologists who write blog posts on a Saturday morning with too much coffee.

Let’s walk the path of justice together.

Make it a great day.