righteousness

Righteousness is a quality or state of being morally right or virtuous, often described as adherence to ethical or divine standards, integrity, fairness, and duty. In everyday use it can refer to actions that are morally justified, honest, or beneficial to others, as well as to a person regarded as morally admirable.

In religious contexts, righteousness commonly carries specific meanings. In Judaism, it is linked to righteous conduct toward others and to covenantal obligations. In Christianity, righteousness may denote conformity to God’s will or a person’s status of being in right standing with God, sometimes described as imputed or granted through faith. In Islam, righteousness (often translated as taqwa or siddiq) denotes piety, obedience to God, and upright behavior. Across traditions, righteousness tends to blend personal virtue with duties to others and to the divine or moral order.

Philosophically, righteousness intersects with virtue ethics and theories of moral character. It is distinguished from justice in that it emphasizes right conduct, integrity, and moral intention, though the two concepts are closely related. In deontological and virtue-based frameworks, acts are considered righteous when they reflect duty, principle, or cultivated character, while consequentialist views may judge righteousness by outcomes.

Socially and legally, righteousness can shape norms of fairness, responsibility, and the legitimacy of laws. Critics warn against self-righteousness, cultural relativism, or the imposition of one group’s standards on others. While interpretations vary, righteousness generally centers on living in a way that is morally justified, dutiful, and attentive to the welfare of others.