Righteousness

noun

A sturdy virtue that was once found among the Pantidoodles inhabiting the lower part of the peninsula of Oque. Some feeble attempts were made by returned missionaries to introduce it into several European countries, but it appears to have been imperfectly expounded. An example of this faulty exposition is found in the only extant sermon of the pious Bishop Rowley, a characteristic passage from which is here given:

        "Now righteousness consisteth not merely in a holy state of

    mind, nor yet in performance of religious rites and obedience to
    the letter of the law. It is not enough that one be pious and
    just: one must see to it that others also are in the same state;
    and to this end compulsion is a proper means. Forasmuch as my
    injustice may work ill to another, so by his injustice may evil be
    wrought upon still another, the which it is as manifestly my duty
    to estop as to forestall mine own tort. Wherefore if I would be
    righteous I am bound to restrain my neighbor, by force if needful,
    in all those injurious enterprises from which, through a better
    disposition and by the help of Heaven, I do myself restrain."


—Ambrose Bierce, The Devil's Dictionary