It is right to give every man his due.

Hear the timeless wisdom of Plato, student of Socrates and teacher of Aristotle, who declared: “It is right to give every man his due.” These words are like a cornerstone laid in the foundation of justice. They remind us that life in harmony rests not on power, nor wealth, nor cunning, but on fairness—the recognition that each soul, by nature of its existence, deserves what is proper, what is owed, what is just. In this simple saying lies the essence of law, morality, and order: to honor what belongs to another, and to withhold nothing that is rightly theirs.

The meaning of this saying is rooted in Plato’s vision of justice as balance. In his great work The Republic, he spoke of justice as each part of the soul and each class of society performing its proper function without overstepping into another’s domain. In the same way, to give every man his due is to acknowledge the rightful portion of each, whether in respect, in honor, in property, or in truth. To deny a man his due is not merely theft—it is to disturb the harmony of the whole, to set disorder loose in the soul and in the city alike.

History offers shining examples of this principle, and also grim warnings when it is ignored. Consider the tale of Marcus Aurelius, the philosopher-king of Rome. Though emperor, he sought to treat even slaves and soldiers with fairness, reminding himself in his Meditations that all men share in reason, and thus deserve dignity. In his reign, though the burdens of empire were heavy, his striving for justice left a mark of peace and stability. Here was a ruler who sought to give every man his due, not only as law demanded, but as conscience required.

But there are darker mirrors as well. In the feudal ages, many peasants labored without ever receiving their fair portion, their lives spent in service while their lords hoarded wealth. This denial of what was due led to uprisings, to bloodshed, to centuries of unrest. When men are denied their rightful share—be it food, freedom, or dignity—the imbalance festers until it erupts. The French Revolution itself rose from this truth: when bread, justice, and respect were withheld from the common man, the entire order of France collapsed in fury. Thus, the failure to give every man his due invites ruin.

Plato’s words also bear a moral weight upon each of us as individuals. To give every man his due is not only the task of rulers and judges, but of neighbors, friends, and kin. To honor a promise, to repay a debt, to respect another’s effort—these are daily acts of justice. Even the smallest denial, the smallest theft of dignity or truth, is a fracture in the harmony of life. To live rightly, therefore, is to measure our actions against this principle: am I giving others what is due to them, in respect, honesty, or compassion?

The lesson for us is clear: justice begins not in grand courts, but in the heart. Let each one strive to deal fairly with all—whether with strangers, family, or even those with whom we disagree. When you give to each his due, you honor not only the other, but also your own soul, for you walk in harmony with truth. To deceive, to exploit, to deny another’s right is to betray both them and yourself, corrupting the balance that sustains life.

Therefore, take practical action: speak truth when it is owed, repay what you have borrowed, honor the dignity of those around you, and defend the rights of the weak when they are denied. In work, give honest labor; in friendship, give loyalty; in community, give respect. These are the dues that keep society strong. And if you are in a place of authority, let your measure of justice be strict and unwavering: to all, what is owed.

So remember Plato’s eternal counsel: “It is right to give every man his due.” Let it echo as both shield and sword in your life. Shield, for it protects you from injustice by guiding your dealings with others. Sword, for it arms you against the corruption and greed that would rob men of their rightful portion. And know this: where every man receives his due, there justice reigns, peace endures, and the soul itself finds harmony.