View source for Righteousness

{{Short description|State of being morally correct and justifiable}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2023}}

'''Righteousness''' is the quality or state of "being [[Morality|morally]] right or justifiable",<ref name="OLD">{{cite web |title=rectitude vs. righteousness |url=https://www.askdifference.com/rectitude-vs-righteousness/ |url-status=dead |archive-url= |archive-date= |access-date= |website=}}</ref> rooted in [[Religious law|religious]] or [[divine law]], with a broader spectrum of moral correctness, [[justice]], and [[Virtue|virtuous]] living as dictated by a higher authority or set of spiritual beliefs.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rectitude vs. Righteousness — What's the Difference? |url=https://www.askdifference.com/rectitude-vs-righteousness/ |access-date=2025-06-12 |website=www.askdifference.com}}</ref>

Rectitude, often a synonym for righteousness, is about personal moral values and the internal compass that guides an individual’s decisions and actions.<ref name="OLD" /> It can be found in [[Indian religions|Indian]], [[Religion in China|Chinese]], and [[Abrahamic religions|Abrahamic]] religions and traditions, among others, as a [[Theology|theological]] [[concept]]. For example, from various perspectives in [[Zoroastrianism]], [[Hinduism]], [[Buddhism]], [[Islam]], [[Christianity]], [[Religious Confucianism|Confucianism]], [[Taoism]], and [[Judaism]]. It is an [[Property (philosophy)|attribute]] that implies that a person's actions are justified, and can have the connotation that the person has been "judged" as living a moral life, relative to the religion’s doctrines.

[[William Tyndale]] ([[Tyndale Bible|translator of the Bible]] into English in 1526) remodeled the word after an earlier word {{lang|ang|rihtwis}}, which would have yielded [[modern English]] *''rightwise'' or *''rightways''. He used it to translate the [[Hebrew language|Hebrew]] root {{lang|he|צדק}} {{transliteration|he|[[Tzadik|tzedek]]}}, which appears over five hundred times in the [[Hebrew Bible]], and the [[Greek language|Greek]] word {{lang|grc|δίκαιος}} ({{transliteration|grc|dikaios}}), which appears more than two hundred times in the [[New Testament]].

[[Etymology|Etymologically]], it comes from
[[Old English]] {{lang|ang|rihtwīs}}, from {{lang|ang|riht}} 'right' + {{lang|ang|wīs}} 'manner, state, condition' (as opposed to {{lang|ang|wrangwīs}}, "wrongful"<ref>{{cite journal|last=Wedgwood|first=Hensleigh|author-link=Hensleigh Wedgwood|title=On False Etymologies|journal=Transactions of the Philological Society
|year=1855|issue=6|publisher=George Bell|location=London|page=[https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.b3924121;view=1up;seq=80 68]}}</ref>). The change in the ending of the word in the [[16th century]] was due to association with words such as bounteous.{{r|OLD}}

==Ethics or moral philosophy==
[[Ethics]] is a major branch of [[philosophy]] that encompasses principles leading to right conduct. [[Rushworth Kidder]] states that "standard definitions of ethics have typically included such phrases as 'the science of the ideal human character' or 'the science of moral duty'".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Annabelle |first=Laura |date=2017-03-05 |title=Ethics Defined |url=https://medium.com/the-ethical-world/ethics-defined-33a1a6cc3064#:~:text=Defining%2520Ethics,science%2520of%2520moral%2520duty'%E2%80%9D. |access-date=2024-11-13 |website=The Ethical World |language=en |via=Medium}}</ref> [[Richard William Paul]] and [[Linda Elder]] define ethics as "a set of concepts and principles that guide us in determining what behavior helps or harms [[Sentience|sentient]] creatures".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Levin |first=Noah |date=2019-11-08 |title=5: Ethics |url=https://human.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Philosophy/Introduction_to_Philosophy_Reader_(Levin_et_al.)/05:_Ethics |access-date=2024-11-13 |website=Humanities LibreTexts |language=en}}</ref> The Cambridge Dictionary of Philosophy states that the word ethics is "commonly used interchangeably with '[[morality]]' ... and sometimes it is used more narrowly to mean the moral principles of a particular tradition, group or individual".<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Khatibi |first1=Mina |last2=Khormaei |first2=Farhad |date=May 2016 |title=Morality and Ethics: A Brief Review |url=https://jlsb.science-line.com/attachments/article/48/J.%20Life%20Sci.%20Biomed.%206(3)%2066-70,%202016.pdf |journal=Journal of Life Science and Biomedicine |volume=6 |issue=3 |pages=66–70}}</ref>

==Abrahamic and Abrahamic-inspired religions==

===Christianity===
{{Attributes of God}}
{{Primary sources|section|date=February 2019}}

In the [[New Testament]], the word ''righteousness'', a translation for the Greek word {{transliteration|grc|dikaiosunē}}, is used in the sense of 'being righteous before others' (e.g. [[Matthew 5:20]]) or 'being righteous before God' (e.g. [[Romans 1:17]]). [[William Lane Craig]] argues that we should think of [[God in Christianity|God]] as the "paradigm, the locus, the source of all moral value and standards".<ref>{{cite web|last=Craig|first=William Lane|title=Doctrine of God (part 19)|url=https://www.reasonablefaith.org/podcasts/defenders-podcast-series-2/doctrine-of-god-part-19/doctrine-of-god-part-19|publisher=Reasonable Faith|access-date=27 May 2014}}</ref>

In [[Matthew the Apostle|Matthew's]] account of the [[Baptism of Jesus]], Jesus tells [[John the Baptist]], "it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness" as Jesus requests that John perform the rite for him. The [[Sermon on the Mount]] contains the memorable commandment, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness".

A secondary meaning of the Greek word is 'justice',<ref>{{cite book | last=Young | first=Robert | title=Young's Analytical Concordance to the Bible | publisher=Hendrickson Academic | year=1998 | isbn=978-1-56563-810-5 | page=819}}</ref> which is used to render it in a few places by a few Bible translations, e.g. in [[Matthew 6:33]] in the [[New English Bible]].

[[Jesus]] asserts the importance of righteousness by saying in [[Matthew 5:20]], "For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven".

[[Paul the Apostle]] speaks of [[dual-covenant theology|two ways]] to achieve righteousness: through the [[Law of Moses]] (or [[Torah]]), and through [[faith]] in the [[Atonement in Christianity|atonement]] made possible through the death and [[resurrection of Jesus]] Christ ({{bibleverse|Romans|10:3–13}}). However, he repeatedly emphasizes that faith is the effective way.<ref>{{bibleverse|Romans|4:5}}, {{bibleverse|Romans|3:21–24}}</ref> For example, a few verses earlier, he states the Jews did not attain the law of righteousness because they sought it not by faith, but by works.<ref>{{bibleverse|Romans|9:30–33}}</ref>

The New Testament speaks of a salvation founded on God's righteousness, as exemplified throughout the history of salvation narrated in the [[Old Testament]] ({{bibleverse||Romans|9–11}}). Paul writes to the Romans that righteousness comes by faith: "... a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: 'The righteous will live by faith'" ({{bibleverse||Romans|1:17}}).

In {{bibleverse|2 Corinthians|9:9|NRSV}} the New Revised Standard Version has a footnote that the original word has the meaning of 'benevolence', and the Messianic Jewish commentary of David Stern affirms the Jewish practice of 'doing {{transliteration|he|tzedakah}}' as a charity, in referring to the {{bibleverse|Matthew|6:33}} and {{bibleverse|2 Corinthians|9:9}} passages.<ref>Stern, David H. (1992) Jewish New Testament Commentary: A companion volume to the 'Jewish New Testament'. pp. 30, 512. {{ISBN|9653590081}}</ref>

{{bibleverse|James|2:14–26}} speaks of the relationship between works of righteousness and faith, saying that "faith without works is dead". Righteous acts according to James include [[Good works|works of charity]] ({{bibleverse|James|2:15–16}}) as well as avoiding [[Christian views on sin|sins]] against the Law of Moses ({{bibleverse|James|2:11–12}}).

{{bibleverse|2|Peter|2:7–8}} describes [[Lot (biblical person)|Lot]] as a righteous man.

====Type of saints====
In the [[Eastern Orthodox Church]], "Righteous" is a [[List of Eastern Orthodox saint titles|type of saint]] who is regarded as a holy person under the [[Old Covenant]] (Old Testament Israel). The word is also sometimes used for married saints of the [[New Covenant]] (the Church). According to Orthodox theology, the Righteous saints of the Old Covenant were not able to enter into heaven until after the [[death of Jesus]] on the [[Crucifixion of Jesus|cross]] ({{bibleverse|Hebrews|11:40}}), but had to await salvation in the [[Bosom of Abraham]] (see: [[Harrowing of Hell]]).

===Islam===
{{Primary sources|section|date=September 2023}}

Righteousness is mentioned several times in the [[Quran]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Mababaya|first=Norlain Dindang|url=http://www.wefound.org/texts/Islam_files/IslamRighteousness.htm |title=Islam Teaches Righteousness And Forbids Evil Deeds |website=www.wefound.org |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010311204856/http://www.wefound.org/texts/Islam_files/IslamRighteousness.htm |archive-date=2001-03-11}}</ref> The Quran says that a life of righteousness is the only way to go to Heaven.
{{Blockquote|We will give the home of the Hereafter to those who do not want arrogance or mischief on earth; and the end is best for the righteous.|[[Quran 28:83]]}}

{{Blockquote|O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female and made you into nations and tribes that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise each other). Verily the most honored of you in the sight of Allah is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And Allah has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things).| [[Quran 49:13]]}}

{{Blockquote|Righteousness is not that you turn your faces to the east and the west [in prayer]. But righteous is the one who believes in God, the Last Day, the Angels, the Scripture and the Prophets; who gives his wealth in spite of love for it to kinsfolk, orphans, the poor, the wayfarer, to those who ask and to set slaves free. And (righteous are) those who pray, pay alms, honor their agreements, and are patient in (times of) poverty, ailment and during conflict. Such are the people of truth. And they are the God-Fearing.| [[Quran 2:177]]}}

===Judaism===
{{Main|Tzadik}}
{{Primary sources|section|date=September 2023}}
Righteousness is one of the chief [[God#Specific attributes|attributes of God]] as portrayed in the [[Hebrew Bible]]. Its chief meaning concerns [[ethics|ethical]] conduct (for example, {{bibleverse|Leviticus|19:36}}; {{Bibleverse|Deuteronomy|25:1}}; {{Bibleverse|Psalms|1:6}}; {{Bibleverse|Proverbs|8:20}}). In the [[Book of Job]], the [[Job (biblical figure)|title character]] is introduced as "a good and righteous man".<ref>{{bibleverse||Job|1:1|NCB}} in the New Catholic Bible</ref> The [[Book of Wisdom]] calls on rulers of the world to embrace righteousness.<ref>{{bibleverse||Wisdom|1:1|NRSV}}: [[New Revised Standard Version]]</ref>

===Mandaeism===
{{Main|Mandaeans#Origin|Zidqa}}

An early self-appellation for [[Mandaeans]] is {{transliteration|myz|bhiri zidqa}} meaning 'elect of righteousness' or 'the chosen righteous', a term found in the [[Book of Enoch]] and [[Genesis Apocryphon]] II, 4.<ref>{{multiref2
|1={{cite journal|last=Rudolph|first=Kurt|title=War Der Verfasser Der Oden Salomos Ein "Qumran-Christ"? Ein Beitrag zur Diskussion um die Anfänge der Gnosis|journal=Revue de Qumrân|date=April 1964|volume=4|number=16|pages=552–553|publisher=Peeters}}
|2={{cite journal|last=Coughenour|first=Robert A.|title=The Wisdom Stance of Enoch's Redactor|publisher=Brill|page=52|journal=Journal for the Study of Judaism in the Persian, Hellenistic, and Roman Period|volume=13|number=1–2|date=December 1982|doi=10.1163/157006382X00035 }}
|3={{cite web|last=Rudolph|first=Kurt|url=https://iranicaonline.org/articles/mandaeans-2-religion |title=Mandeans ii. The Mandean Religion |access-date=3 January 2022|website=Encyclopaedia Iranica|date=7 April 2008}}
|4={{cite thesis|url=https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/1444088/|last=Aldihisi|first=Sabah|year=2008|title=The story of creation in the Mandaean holy book in the Ginza Rba|type=PhD|publisher=University College London|page=18}}
}}</ref> In addition to righteousness, {{transliteration|myz|[[zidqa]]}} also refers to [[alms]] or [[almsgiving]].<ref>{{multiref2
|1={{cite book |last1=Gelbert |first1=Carlos |title=Ginza Rba |year=2011 |publisher=Living Water Books |location=Sydney |isbn=978-0958034630}}
|2={{cite book|last=Drower|first=Ethel Stefana|year=1937|title=The Mandaeans of Iraq and Iran|location=Oxford|publisher=The Clarendon Press}}
}}</ref>

==East Asian religions==

===Yi (Confucianism)===
{{Main|Yi (Confucianism)}}

{{transliteration|zh|Yi}}, ({{lang-zh|c=義|s=义|t=義|p=yì|tp=|j=Ji6|zhu=ㄧˋ|links=No|Phonetic=ㄧˋ}}), literally "[[justice]], or justness, righteousness or rightness, [[meaning (non-linguistic)|meaning]]", is an important concept in [[Confucianism]]. It involves a moral disposition for the [[good]] in life, with the sustainable intuition, purpose, and sensibility to do good competently with no expectation of reward.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://philosophy.lander.edu/oriental/main.html |title=The Main Concepts of Confucianism |publisher=Philosophy.lander.edu |access-date=2012-08-13}}</ref><ref name=Cheng>{{Citation |last = Cheng |first = Chung-ying |title = On yi as a universal principle of specific application in Confucian morality |journal = Philosophy East and West |volume = 22 |issue = 3 |pages = 269–280 |date=July 1972  |jstor = 1397676 |doi=10.2307/1397676}}</ref>

{{transliteration|zh|Yi}} resonates with Confucian philosophy's orientation towards the cultivation of [[Reverence (emotion)|reverence]] or [[Ren (philosophy)|benevolence]] ({{transliteration|zh|ren}}) and skillful practice ({{transliteration|zh|li}}).

{{transliteration|zh|Yi}} represents moral acumen that goes beyond simple rule-following, as it is based on [[empathy]], it involves a balanced understanding of a situation, and it incorporates the "creative insights" and grounding necessary to apply [[virtue]]s through deduction ([[Yin and yang|Yin and Yang]]) and reason "with no loss of purpose and direction for the total good of [[fidelity]]. {{transliteration|zh|Yi}} represents this ideal of totality as well as a decision-generating ability to apply a virtue properly and appropriately in a situation."{{r|Cheng|page=271}}

In application, {{transliteration|zh|yi}} is a "complex principle" that includes:{{r|Cheng}}

# skill in crafting actions which have moral fitness according to a given concrete situation
# the wise recognition of such fitness
# the intrinsic satisfaction that comes from that recognition.

==Indian religions==
There might not be a [[Untranslatability|single-word translation]] for {{transliteration|sa|[[dharma]]}} in English, but it can be translated as righteousness, religion, faith, duty, law, and virtue. Connotations of {{transliteration|sa|dharma}} include rightness, good, natural, morality, righteousness, and virtue. In common parlance, {{transliteration|sa|dharma}} means 'right way of living' and 'path of rightness'. It encompasses ideas such as duty, rights, character, vocation, religion, customs and all behavior considered appropriate, correct or "morally upright". It is explained as a law of righteousness and equated to {{transliteration|sa|[[satya]]}} (truth): "...when a man speaks the Truth, they say, 'He speaks the Dharma'; and if he speaks Dharma, they say, 'He speaks the Truth!' For both are one"<ref>Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, 1.4.xiv</ref>

[[File:Flag of India.svg|thumb|The wheel in the centre of India's flag represents the Dharma Chakra.]]
The importance of {{transliteration|sa|dharma}} to Indian sentiments is illustrated by the government of India's decision in 1947 to include the [[Ashoka Chakra]], a depiction of the {{transliteration|sa|[[dharmachakra]]}} ( the "wheel of dharma"), as the central motif on its flag.

===Hinduism===
{{Verse translation|lang=sa-Latn|yada yada hi dharmasya glanir bhavati bharata
abhyutthanam adharmasya tadatmanam srjamy aham|Whenever there is decay of righteousness, O Bharata,
And there is exaltation of unrighteousness, then I Myself come forth|attr1=[[Bhagavad Gita]] Chapter 4: Text 7<ref>{{multiref2
|1={{cite Q|Q854700|url=https://asitis.com/4/7.html|at=4.7|website=Bhagavad Gita As It Is}}
|2={{cite web|url=http://www.swamivivekanandaquotes.org/2014/05/bhagavad-gita-chapter-4-verse-7-8.html|title=Bhagavad Gita Chapter 4, Verse 7–8: Yada Yada Hi Dharmasya|website=Swami Vivekananda Quotes|access-date=17 September 2018|archive-date=28 May 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230528161803/https://swamivivekanandaquotes.org/2014/05/bhagavad-gita-chapter-4-verse-7-8.html|url-status=dead}} }}</ref>}}

In [[Hindu philosophy]] and [[Hinduism|religion]], major emphasis is placed on individual practical morality. In the [[Sanskrit epic]]s, this concern is omnipresent.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ccbs.ntu.edu.tw/FULLTEXT/JR-PHIL/ew27136.htm |url-status=dead|access-date=27 August 2023 |title=Dharma and Moksa|first=Daniel H.H.|last=Ingalls|year=1957|website=Philosophy East & West|pages=41–48 |archive-date=Feb 21, 2001 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010221151403/http://ccbs.ntu.edu.tw/FULLTEXT/JR-PHIL/ew27136.htm}}</ref> Including duties, rights, laws, conduct, virtues, and "right way of living".{{Sentence fragment|date=September 2023}} The [[Sanskrit epic]]s contain themes and examples where right prevails over wrong, good over evil.

In an inscription attributed to the Indian Emperor Ashoka from {{BCE|the year 258}}, in Sanskrit, Aramaic, and Greek text, appears a Greek rendering for the Sanskrit word {{transliteration|sa|dharma}}: the word {{transliteration|grc|[[eusebeia]]}} This suggests {{transliteration|sa|dharma}} was a central concept in India at that time, and meant not only religious ideas, but ideas of right, of good, and of one's duty.{{citation needed|reason=|date=September 2023}}

The ''Ramayana'' is one of the two great Indian epics. It tells about life in India around {{BCE|1000}} and offers models in {{transliteration|sa|dharma}}. The hero, Rama, lived his whole life by the rules of {{transliteration|sa|dharma}}; this is why he is considered heroic. When Rama was a young boy, he was the perfect son. Later, he was an ideal husband to his faithful wife, Sita, and a responsible ruler of Aydohya. Each episode of Ramayana presents life situations and ethical questions in symbolic terms. The situation is debated by the characters, and finally, right prevails over wrong, good over evil. For this reason, in Hindu Epics, the good, morally upright, law-abiding king is referred to as {{transliteration|sa|dharmaraja}}.

In ''[[Mahabharata]]'', the other major Indian epic, similarly, {{transliteration|sa|dharma}} is central, and it is presented with symbolism and metaphors. Near the end of the epic, the god [[Yama]], referred to as {{transliteration|sa|dharma}} in the text, is portrayed as taking the form of a dog to test the compassion of [[Yudhishthira]], who is told he may not enter paradise with such an animal, but who refuses to abandon his companion, for which decision he is then praised by {{transliteration|sa|dharma}}. The value and appeal of the ''Mahabharata'' is not as much in its complex and rushed presentation of metaphysics in the 12th book, claims [[Daniel H. H. Ingalls Sr.|Daniel H.H. Ingalls]], because Indian metaphysics is more eloquently presented in other Sanskrit scriptures.{{citation needed|reason=|date=September 2023}} The appeal of Mahabharata, like Ramayana, is in its presentation of a series of moral problems and life situations, to which there are usually three answers given, according to Ingalls: one answer is of [[Bhima]], which is the answer of brute force, an individual angle representing materialism, egoism, and self; the second answer is of [[Yudhishthira]], which is always an appeal to piety and gods, of social virtue and tradition; the third answer is of introspective [[Arjuna]], which falls between the two extremes, and who, claims Ingalls, symbolically reveals the finest moral qualities of man.{{citation needed|reason=|date=September 2023}} The Epics of Hinduism are a symbolic treatise about life, virtues, customs, morals, ethics, law, and other aspects of dharma. There is extensive discussion of {{transliteration|sa|dharma}} at the individual level in the Epics of Hinduism, observes Ingalls; for example, on free will versus destiny, when and why human beings believe in either, ultimately concluding that the strong and prosperous naturally uphold free will, while those facing grief or frustration naturally lean towards destiny.{{citation needed|reason=|date=September 2023}} The Epics of Hinduism illustrate various aspects of {{transliteration|sa|dharma}}, they are a means of communicating {{transliteration|sa|dharma}} with metaphors.

In [[Hinduism]], {{transliteration|sa|dharma}} signifies behaviors that are considered to be in accord with {{transliteration|sa|[[Ṛta]]}}, the order that makes life and universe possible, and includes duties, rights, laws, conduct, virtues, and "right way of living". The concept of {{transliteration|sa|dharma}} was already in use in the [[historical Vedic religion]], and its meaning and conceptual scope have evolved over several millennia.

=== Secular ===

The ancient [[Tamil language|Tamil]] moral text of ''[[Tirukkural]]'' is solely based on {{transliteration|ta|[[Aram (Kural book)|aṟam]]}}, the Tamil term for {{transliteration|sa|dharma}}. The [[antonym]] of {{transliteration|sa|dharma}} is {{transliteration|sa|[[adharma]]}}.

=== Buddhism ===
In Buddhism, {{transliteration|sa|dharma}} means cosmic law and order, but is also applied to the teachings of the Buddha. In [[Buddhist philosophy]], {{transliteration|pi|dhamma}}/{{transliteration|sa|dharma}} is also the term for "[[phenomena]]". Dharma refers not only to the sayings of the Buddha, but also to the later traditions of interpretation and addition that the various [[schools of Buddhism]] have developed to help explain and to expand upon the Buddha's teachings. For others still, they see the {{transliteration|sa|dharma}} as referring to the "truth", or the ultimate reality of "the way that things really are" ({{bo|t=ཆོས|s=chö}}).{{Relevance inline|reason=This is about "dharma" but has mostly stopped being about "righteousness" which is the page topic; Buddhism also talks about righteousness in e.g. the Noble Eightfold Path, so why not discuss that instead?|date=September 2023}}

===Jainism===
[[Tattvartha Sutra]] mentions {{transliteration|sa|[[Dharma (Jainism)|Das-dharma]]}} with the meaning of "righteous". These are forbearance, modesty, straightforwardness, purity, truthfulness, self-restraint, austerity, renunciation, non-attachment, and celibacy.

{{blockquote|A right believer should constantly meditate on virtues of {{transliteration|sa|dharma}}, like supreme modesty, in order to protect the soul from all contrary dispositions. He should also cover up the shortcomings of others.|''Puruṣārthasiddhyupāya'' (27)}}

===Sikhism===
For Sikhs, the word {{transliteration|pa|Dharm}} means the path of righteousness and proper religious practice. For [[Sikh]]s, the word {{transliteration|pa|dharam}} ([[Punjabi language|Punjabi]]: {{lang|pa|ਧਰਮ}}, {{transliteration|pa|dharam}}) means the path of righteousness and proper religious practice. [[Guru Granth Sahib]] in hymn 1353 connotes {{transliteration|pa|dharam}} as duty. The [[3HO]] movement in Western culture, which has incorporated certain Sikh beliefs, defines Sikh {{transliteration|pa|dharam}} broadly as all that constitutes religion, moral duty, and way of life.

==Persian religions==

===Zoroastrianism===
In [[Zoroastrianism]], {{transliteration|ae|[[asha]]}} is an important tenet of the Zoroastrian religion with a complex and nuanced range of meaning. It is commonly summarized in accord with its contextual implications of 'truth' and 'right(eousness)', 'order' and 'right working'.

From an early age, Zoroastrians are taught to pursue righteousness by following the Threefold Path of {{transliteration|ae|asha}}: {{transliteration|ae|humata}}, {{transliteration|ae|huxta}}, {{transliteration|ae|huvarshta}} (Good Thoughts, Good Words, Good Deeds).

One of the most sacred mantras in the religion is the [[Ashem Vohu]], which has been translated as an "Ode to Righteousness". There are many translations, that differ due to the complexity of [[Avestan]] and the concepts involved (for other translations, see: [[Ashem Vohu]]).

"Righteousness is the best good and it is happiness. Happiness is to her/him who is righteous, for the sake of the best righteousness".<ref>{{Cite book|title=English Translation of Gujarati Khordeh Avesta|last=Kanga|first=Ervad Kawasji Eduljee|pages=1}}</ref>{{full citation needed|date=September 2023}}

==See also==
* {{annotated link|[[Alien righteousness]]}}
* {{annotated link|[[Asha]]}}
* {{annotated link|[[Chivalry]]}}
* {{annotated link|[[Christian perfection]]}}
* {{annotated link|[[Hrī (Buddhism)]]}}
* {{annotated link|[[Human rights]]}}
* {{annotated link|[[Imparted righteousness]]}}
* {{annotated link|[[Imputed righteousness]]}}
* {{annotated link|[[Justice]]}}
* {{annotated link|[[Justification (theology)]]}}
* {{annotated link|[[Philotimo]]}}
* {{annotated link|[[Piety]]}}
* {{annotated link|[[Pono (word)|Pono]]}}
* {{annotated link|[[Proper righteousness]]}}
* {{annotated link|[[Righteous Among the Nations]]}}
* {{annotated link|[[Righteous indignation]]}}
* {{annotated link|[[Sacred]]}}
* {{annotated link|[[Sanctification]]}}
* {{annotated link|[[Virtus]]}}
* {{annotated link|[[Yi (philosophy)|Yi]]}}
* [[Tzadikim Nistarim]] - 36 hidden Righteousness

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Wiktionary-inline}}
* {{Wikiquote-inline}}

{{Virtues}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Attributes of God in Christian theology]]
[[Category:Religious ethics]]
[[Category:Concepts in ethics]]
[[Category:Good and evil]]
[[Category:Virtue]]