Right Thing, Right Now

What kind of world could we build if we all strived to be honest, fair, and kind in every action, big or small?

1. Justice Starts with Personal Integrity

Living a just life begins with your own actions and decisions. Justice, as Ryan Holiday explains, isn’t just about laws or social systems—it’s about fairness, honesty, and keeping your promises. When you establish your personal code of ethics, decisions become less complicated because your values guide you.

Historical examples, like Harry Truman, highlight how personal integrity shapes meaningful lives. Truman, even before becoming president, stuck to honesty and avoided corruption, often at a personal cost. His commitment to fairness carried through to his presidency, where he made bold, ethical decisions like desegregating the armed forces, despite these choices being unpopular at the time.

Ultimately, this personal foundation influences the broader world. Your integrity rubs off on others, creating a ripple effect of meaningful change. Justice flows from being dependable, taking responsibility for actions, and promoting fairness in your everyday behavior.

Examples

• Harry Truman refusing bribes early in his career, despite financial struggles.
• Truman desegregating the armed forces, a controversial move at the time.
• Joan Didion's idea that self-respect comes from responsibility and doing the right thing.

2. The Value of Transparency

Justice thrives on openness. Being transparent in your actions immunizes you against dishonesty and fosters trust. Acting as if your every move were visible makes it easier to evaluate your choices.

Thomas Jefferson advised living as if the world is watching, even though he himself faltered at times. This advice reminds us that transparency fuels trust and holds people accountable. Maintaining your integrity also means avoiding situations where dishonesty could arise, such as collaborating with unethical individuals.

Transparency works hand-in-hand with integrity and respect. Whether in daily life or in societal positions, upholding truth strengthens your relationships and helps sustain a just society resistant to corruption.

Examples

• Thomas Jefferson's timeless advice to live as if under scrutiny.
• Cato the Younger's refusal to work with unethical figures like Julius Caesar.
• Upholding honesty even when the First Amendment protects lying.

3. Striving for the Common Good

Justice is not for yourself alone; it encompasses the well-being of others. As the Stoics taught, personal virtues like discipline complement collective virtues like justice, which work toward the common good.

A prime example is Thomas Clarkson, who dedicated his life to fighting slavery after writing a school essay questioning its morality. His courage galvanized communities and created momentum for the abolition of slavery globally. Justice means standing up for marginalized communities, listening to those with differing opinions, and striving for a better future.

This broader focus invites us to treat others with kindness and empathy, recognizing that just actions ripple outward to make the world better for everyone involved.

Examples

• Thomas Clarkson's anti-slavery efforts that began with a school essay.
• Advocating for marginalized groups, from small acts to systemic changes.
• The Stoic belief in seizing every interaction as a chance to show kindness.

4. Kindness as a Form of Justice

Justice can be as simple as kindness. Following the golden rule—treat others as you want to be treated—builds trust and goodwill, essential ingredients in a thriving society.

Ryan Holiday shares stories of figures like Beatrice Webb, who gained profound empathy after immersing herself in the working-class struggles. Similarly, small acts of kindness between individuals foster human connections that lead to greater understanding and lasting change.

Kindness doesn’t require grand gestures. Everyday compassion, like helping a stranger or listening to someone’s concerns, makes a significant difference in your relationships and community.

Examples

• Beatrice Webb's social reform work after living among the working class.
• Socrates teaching that justice makes us useful to ourselves and others.
• Everyday acts of compassion, like offering a smile or a helping hand.

5. Generosity: A Justice Habit

Holiday emphasizes that giving isn’t optional; it’s part of living justly. Generosity, whether of money, time, or expertise, counteracts selfish tendencies and builds stronger communities.

The Hebrew word for charity, "tzedakah," translates to justice—a poignant reminder that giving is fundamentally linked to fairness. Role models like Socrates, who mentored students, demonstrate how sharing knowledge uplifts others and promotes justice.

By considering how your resources, skills, and actions can benefit others, you weave generosity into your life, helping build a fairer society.

Examples

• Anne Frank's belief that giving never makes you poorer.
• Socrates mentoring his students to carry on his teachings.
• Angela Merkel accepting Syrian refugees to protect the vulnerable.

6. Justice Requires Action

Standing up to injustice is not optional—it’s essential. Holiday argues that silence allows unfairness to grow. Taking action against oppression, big or small, aligns with a just life.

Many freedom fighters throughout history, like Angela Merkel, took bold steps to protect vulnerable populations. Merkel provided refuge for a million Syrians despite opposition, driven by her belief in doing what's right.

Justice demands tackling inequality and standing with the powerless, even when it’s uncomfortable. Every act of courage sends a message that fairness and decency matter.

Examples

• Angela Merkel accepting Syrian refugees despite criticism.
• Fighting for local issues in your community to make change.
• Supporting fair practices as a consumer to protest unethical industries.

7. We Are All Connected

Justice stems from realizing that we are deeply intertwined. Einstein’s “optical delusion” concept reminds us that we’re not truly separate individuals but part of one global family.

Astronauts experiencing the "overview effect" from space witness firsthand the interconnectedness of humanity and Earth. This perspective fosters a global consciousness, highlighting why collective well-being matters more than individual success.

Embracing this connection leads to more ethical behavior and a broader focus on building a community that thrives as a whole, instead of prioritizing individual gain.

Examples

• Astronauts feeling a sense of unity during the "overview effect."
• Pericles pointing out that one person’s success in a failed society is hollow.
• Albert Schweitzer’s philosophy of extending care to all living things.

8. Building Bridges, Even with Rivals

Justice calls for engaging, not avoiding, those who see the world differently. Even with opposition, building understanding is essential.

The example of Harvey Milk demonstrates this idea. As California’s first openly gay elected politician, Milk reached out to individuals who opposed him, trying to foster education and dialogue. Though tragically murdered by one such person, Milk’s spirit shows us the importance of grace, optimism, and hope no matter the risks.

By seeking understanding rather than division, you push justice forward and inspire others to see the humanity in all people.

Examples

• Harvey Milk's efforts to engage with those who disagreed with him.
• Building collaborative relationships for social reform despite challenges.
• Challenging your own biases by interacting with diverse groups.

9. Love as the Root of Justice

At its core, justice springs from love. As James Baldwin stated, hatred only destroys the hater, while love sustains and strengthens.

Choosing love transforms how we approach justice, shaping actions defined by compassion and grace. This mindset helps create a society where decency reigns. Vonnegut celebrated the saints he met in his life—ordinary people choosing decency in an indecent world.

Justice, then, comes from fostering this love, which encourages ethical decisions and bridges divides, even in the face of adversity.

Examples

• James Baldwin’s idea that hatred destroys, while love protects.
• Kurt Vonnegut admiring the everyday decency of ordinary people.
• Practicing acts of love, from forgiving a wrong to offering help selflessly.

Takeaways

1. Develop your own moral code and stick to it, even when it’s hard—integrity simplifies your decisions.
2. Practice everyday acts of giving and kindness; even small gestures can have a ripple effect.
3. Stand for fairness and act, no matter the scale—your choices inspire others and create change.