The government of the countries should conform to the Divine Law which gives equal justice to all. This is the only way in which the deplorable superfluity of great wealth and miserable, demoralizing, degrading poverty can be abolished. Not until this is done will the Law of God be obeyed. (154:1) SEVENTH PRINCIPLE - EQUALITY OF MEN All men are equal before the law, which must reign absolutely. (154:3) The object of punishment is not vengeance, but the prevention of crime. (154:4) Kings must rule with wisdom and justice; prince, peer and peasant alike have equal rights to just treatment, there must be no favour shown to individuals. A judge must be no `respecter of persons', but administer the law with strict impartiality in every case brought before him. (154:5) If a person commit a crime against you, you have not the right to forgive him; but the law must punish him in order to prevent a repetition of that same crime by others, as the pain of the individual is unimportant beside the general welfare of the people.
(154:6)
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