Heavenly Doctrine (Tafel) n. 101

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101. But charity has a far wider scope than the poor and needy: for charity consists in doing what is right in every work, and in doing one's duty in every office. Thus if a judge does what is just for the sake of what is just, he practises charity; if he punishes the guilty, and acquits the innocent, he practises charity; for in so doing he cares for the welfare of his fellow-citizens and for his country. A minister, again, who teaches the truth, and leads to good, for the sake of truth and good, practises charity: but he who does these things for the sake of himself and the world, does not practise charity; because he does not love the neighbour, but himself.


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