Just vs. Fair — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Urooj Arif — Updated on May 2, 2024
Just decisions apply legal principles strictly, while fair decisions consider ethical equity and context.
Difference Between Just and Fair
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Just decisions are rooted in law and strict application of rules, ensuring legal consistency. Whereas fair decisions emphasize moral equity and context, aiming for outcomes that are ethically balanced.
Just actions often focus on the adherence to established laws or rules, regardless of the circumstances. On the other hand, fair actions prioritize equality and impartiality, adapting to the specific situation to ensure a balanced approach.
Just measures are typically clear-cut and predictable based on legal precedents. While fair measures may involve more subjective judgment to achieve an equitable outcome that might not always align with strict legal frameworks.
Just outcomes are often seen as legally correct and are essential for maintaining law and order. Whereas fair outcomes strive to be morally righteous, sometimes challenging legal norms to address nuances and complexities.
Just is primarily concerned with the process being correct and procedurally sound. On the other hand, fair focuses on the end result being equitable and justifiable to all parties involved.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Adhering to law or rules
Equitable and impartial
Focus
Legal correctness
Ethical equity
Outcome Dependency
Based on legal precedents
Considerate of circumstances and context
Predictability
High (based on established laws)
Variable (depends on ethical judgment)
Equity Consideration
Minimal, focused on procedural justice
High, focused on distributive justice
Compare with Definitions
Just
Based on or behaving according to what is morally right and fair.
She felt it was just to return the lost wallet to its owner.
Fair
In accordance with the rules or standards; legitimate.
The competition was conducted in a fair manner.
Just
Deserved or appropriate in the circumstances.
The just punishment for the crime was community service.
Fair
Free from bias, dishonesty, or injustice.
The judge is known for being fair.
Just
Barely; by a little.
He just missed hitting the tree.
Fair
Moderately good; acceptable.
The deal they got was fair.
Just
Exact or accurate.
The measurements were just as specified.
Fair
Light; blonde.
Her fair hair shimmered under the sunlight.
Just
Lawful; legally valid.
The court issued a just verdict.
Fair
Fine and dry.
The forecast promises fair weather for our picnic.
Just
Honorable and fair in one's dealings and actions
A just ruler. ].
Fair
A fair (archaic: faire or fayre) is a gathering of people for a variety of entertainment or commercial activities. It is normally of the essence of a fair that it is temporary with scheduled times lasting from an afternoon to several weeks.
Just
Variant of joust.
Fair
Treating people equally without favouritism or discrimination
The group has achieved fair and equal representation for all its members
A fairer distribution of wealth
Just
Factually right, correct; factual.
It is a just assessment of the facts.
Fair
(of hair or complexion) light; blonde
A pretty girl with long fair hair
Just
Rationally right, correct.
Fair
Considerable though not outstanding in size or amount
He did a fair bit of coaching
Just
Morally right; upright, righteous, equitable; fair.
It looks like a just solution at first glance.
Fair
(of weather) fine and dry
A fair autumn day
Just
Proper, adequate.
Fair
Beautiful
The fairest of her daughters
Just
Only, simply, merely.
Plant just a few tomatoes, unless you can freeze or dry them.
He calls it vermilion, but it's just red to me.
Fair
Without cheating or trying to achieve unjust advantage
No one could say he played fair
Just
(sentence adverb) Used to reduce the force of an imperative; simply.
Just follow the directions on the box.
Fair
To a high degree
She'll be fair delighted to see you
Just
Used to convey a less serious or formal tone
I just called to say "hi".
Fair
A beautiful woman
Pursuing his fair in a solitary street
Just
Used to show humility.
Lord, we just want to thank You and praise Your Name.
Fair
A gathering of stalls and amusements for public entertainment
I won a goldfish at the fair
Just
(degree) absolutely, positively
It is just splendid!
Fair
A periodic gathering for the sale of goods.
Just
Moments ago, recently.
They just left, but you may leave a message at the desk.
Fair
(of the weather) become fine
Looks like it's fairing off some
Just
By a narrow margin; closely; nearly.
The fastball just missed my head!
The piece just might fit.
Fair
Streamline (a vehicle, boat, or aircraft) by adding fairings
It is fully faired and race ready
Just
Exactly, precisely, perfectly.
He wants everything just right for the big day.
Fair
Of pleasing appearance, especially because of a pure or fresh quality; comely.
Just
(slang) Expressing dismay or discontent.
Fair
Light in color, especially blond
Fair hair.
Just
A joust, tournament.
Fair
Of light complexion
Fair skin.
Just
To joust, fight a tournament.
Fair
Free of clouds or storms; clear and sunny
Fair skies.
Just
Conforming or conformable to rectitude or justice; not doing wrong to any; violating no right or obligation; upright; righteous; honest; true; - said both of persons and things.
There is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.
Just balances, just weights, . . . shall ye have.
How should man be just with God?
We know your grace to be a man.Just and upright.
Fair
Free of blemishes or stains; clean and pure
One's fair name.
Just
Not transgressing the requirement of truth and propriety; conformed to the truth of things, to reason, or to a proper standard; exact; normal; reasonable; regular; due; as, a just statement; a just inference.
Just of thy word, in every thought sincere.
The prince is here at hand: pleaseth your lordshipTo meet his grace just distance 'tween our armies.
He was a comely personage, a little above just stature.
Fire fitted with just materials casts a constant heat.
When allThe war shall stand ranged in its just array.
Their names alone would make a just volume.
Fair
Promising; likely
We're in a fair way to succeed.
Just
Rendering or disposed to render to each one his due; equitable; fair; impartial; as, just judge.
Men are commonly so just to virtue and goodness as to praise it in others, even when they do not practice it themselves.
Fair
Having or exhibiting a disposition that is free of favoritism or bias; impartial
A fair mediator.
Just
Precisely; exactly; - in place, time, or degree; neither more nor less than is stated.
And having just enough, not covet more.
The god Pan guided my hand just to the heart of the beast.
To-night, at Herne's oak, just 'twixt twelve and one.
Fair
Just to all parties; equitable
A compromise that is fair to both factions.
Just
Closely; nearly; almost.
Just at the point of death.
Fair
Being in accordance with relative merit or significance
She wanted to receive her fair share of the proceeds.
Just
Barely; merely; scarcely; only; by a very small space or time; as, he just missed the train; just too late.
A soft Etesian galeBut just inspired and gently swelled the sail.
Fair
Consistent with rules, logic, or ethics
A fair tactic.
Just
To joust.
Fair
Moderately good; acceptable or satisfactory
Gave only a fair performance of the play.
In fair health.
Just
A joust.
Fair
Superficially true or appealing; specious
Don't trust his fair promises.
Just
Used especially of what is legally or ethically right or proper or fitting;
A just and lasting peace
A kind and just man
A just reward
His just inheritance
Fair
Lawful to hunt or attack
Fair game.
Just
Implying justice dictated by reason, conscience, and a natural sense of what is fair to all;
Equitable treatment of all citizens
An equitable distribution of gifts among the children
Fair
(Archaic) Free of all obstacles.
Just
Free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; or conforming with established standards or rules;
A fair referee
Fair deal
On a fair footing
A fair fight
By fair means or foul
Fair
In a proper or legal manner
Playing fair.
Just
Of moral excellence;
A genuinely good person
A just cause
An upright and respectable man
The life of the nation is secure only while the nation is honest, truthful, and virtuous
Fair
Directly; straight
A blow caught fair in the stomach.
Just
And nothing more;
I was merely asking
It is simply a matter of time
Just a scratch
He was only a child
Hopes that last but a moment
Fair
To join (pieces) so as to be smooth, even, or regular
Faired the aircraft's wing into the fuselage.
Just
Indicating exactness or preciseness;
He was doing precisely (or exactly) what she had told him to do
It was just as he said--the jewel was gone
It has just enough salt
Fair
(Archaic) A beautiful or beloved woman.
Just
Only a moment ago;
He has just arrived
The sun just now came out
Fair
(Obsolete) Loveliness; beauty.
Just
Absolutely;
I just can't take it anymore
He was just grand as Romeo
It's simply beautiful!
Fair
A gathering for the buying and selling of goods, often held at a particular time and place; a market
We attended the annual book fair.
Just
By a small margin;
They could barely hear the speaker
We hardly knew them
Just missed being hit
Had scarcely rung the bell when the door flew open
Would have scarce arrived before she would have found some excuse to leave
Fair
An exhibition of home or farm products and skills, usually with competitions and entertainments
My pumpkin won first prize at the county fair.
Fair
An exhibition intended to inform people about a product or business opportunity
A computer fair.
A job fair.
Fair
An event, usually for the benefit of a charity or public institution, including entertainment and the sale of goods; a bazaar
A church fair.
Fair
Beautiful, of a pleasing appearance, with a pure and fresh quality.
Monday's child is fair of face.
There was once a knight who wooed a fair young maid.
Fair
Unblemished (figuratively or literally); clean and pure; innocent.
One's fair name
After scratching out and replacing various words in the manuscript, he scribed a fair copy to send to the publisher.
Fair
Light in color, pale, particularly with regard to skin tone but also referring to blond hair.
She had fair hair and blue eyes.
Fair
Just, equitable.
He must be given a fair trial.
Fair
Adequate, reasonable, or decent, but not excellent.
Their performance has been only fair.
The patient was in a fair condition after some treatment.
Fair
Favorable to a ship's course.
Fair
Not overcast; cloudless; clear; pleasant; propitious; said of the sky, weather, or wind, etc.
A fair sky;
A fair day
Fair
Free from obstacles or hindrances; unobstructed; unencumbered; open; direct; said of a road, passage, etc.
A fair mark;
In fair sight;
A fair view
Fair
(shipbuilding) Without sudden change of direction or curvature; smooth; flowing; said of the figure of a vessel, and of surfaces, water lines, and other lines.
Fair
(baseball) Between the baselines.
Fair
Taken direct from an opponent's foot, without the ball touching the ground or another player.
Fair
Not a no ball.
Fair
(statistics) Of a coin or die, having equal chance of landing on any side, unbiased.
Fair
Something which is fair (in various senses of the adjective).
When will we learn to distinguish between the fair and the foul?
Fair
(obsolete) Fairness, beauty.
Fair
A fair woman; a sweetheart.
Fair
(obsolete) Good fortune; good luck.
Fair
A community gathering to celebrate and exhibit local achievements.
Fair
An event for public entertainment and trade, a market.
Fair
An event for professionals in a trade to learn of new products and do business, a trade fair.
Fair
A travelling amusement park (called a funfair in British English and a (travelling) carnival in US English).
Fair
(transitive) To smoothen or even a surface (especially a connection or junction on a surface).
Fair
(transitive) To bring into perfect alignment (especially about rivet holes when connecting structural members).
Fair
To make an animation smooth, removing any jerkiness.
Fair
(transitive) To construct or design with the aim of producing a smooth outline or reducing air drag or water resistance.
Fair
To make fair or beautiful.
Fair
Clearly, openly, frankly, civilly, honestly, favorably, auspiciously, agreeably
Fair
Free from spots, specks, dirt, or imperfection; unblemished; clean; pure.
A fair white linen cloth.
Fair
Pleasing to the eye; handsome; beautiful.
Who can not see many a fair French city, for one fair French made.
Fair
Without a dark hue; light; clear; as, a fair skin.
The northern people large and fair-complexioned.
Fair
Not overcast; cloudless; clear; pleasant; propitious; favorable; - said of the sky, weather, or wind, etc.; as, a fair sky; a fair day.
You wish fair winds may waft him over.
Fair
Free from obstacles or hindrances; unobstructed; unincumbered; open; direct; - said of a road, passage, etc.; as, a fair mark; in fair sight; a fair view.
The caliphs obtained a mighty empire, which was in a fair way to have enlarged.
Fair
Without sudden change of direction or curvature; smooth; flowing; - said of the figure of a vessel, and of surfaces, water lines, and other lines.
Fair
Characterized by frankness, honesty, impartiality, or candor; open; upright; free from suspicion or bias; equitable; just; - said of persons, character, or conduct; as, a fair man; fair dealing; a fair statement.
Fair
Pleasing; favorable; inspiring hope and confidence; - said of words, promises, etc.
When fair words and good counsel will not prevail on us, we must be frighted into our duty.
Fair
Distinct; legible; as, fair handwriting.
Fair
Free from any marked characteristic; average; middling; as, a fair specimen.
The news is very fair and good, my lord.
Fair
Clearly; openly; frankly; civilly; honestly; favorably; auspiciously; agreeably.
Fair
Fairness, beauty.
Fair
A fair woman; a sweetheart.
I have found out a gift for my fair.
Fair
Good fortune; good luck.
Now fair befall thee !
Fair
A gathering of buyers and sellers, assembled at a particular place with their merchandise at a stated or regular season, or by special appointment, for trade.
Fair
A festival, and sale of fancy articles. erc., usually for some charitable object; as, a Grand Army fair; a church fair.
Fair
A competitive exhibition of wares, farm products, etc., not primarily for purposes of sale; as, the Mechanics' fair; an agricultural fair.
Fair
An exhibition by a number of organizations, including governmental organizations, for the purpose of acquainting people with such organizations or their members, not primarily for commercial purposes; as, the 1939 World's Fair.
Meet me in St. Louis, LouisMeet me at the fairDon't tell me the lights are shiningAnyplace but there.
Fair
To make fair or beautiful.
Fairing the foul.
Fair
To make smooth and flowing, as a vessel's lines.
Fair
A traveling show; having sideshows and rides and games of skill etc.
Fair
Gathering of producers to promote business;
World fair
Trade fair
Book fair
Fair
A competitive exhibition of farm products;
She won a blue ribbon for her baking at the county fair
Fair
A sale of miscellany; often for charity;
The church bazaar
Fair
Join so that the external surfaces blend smoothly
Fair
Free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; or conforming with established standards or rules;
A fair referee
Fair deal
On a fair footing
A fair fight
By fair means or foul
Fair
Showing lack of favoritism;
The cold neutrality of an impartial judge
Fair
More than adequate in quality;
Fair work
Fair
Not excessive or extreme;
A fairish income
Reasonable prices
Fair
Visually appealing;
Our fair city
Fair
Very pleasing to the eye;
My bonny lass
There's a bonny bay beyond
A comely face
Young fair maidens
Fair
(of a baseball) hit between the foul lines;
He hit a fair ball over the third base bag
Fair
Of no exceptional quality or ability;
A novel of average merit
Only a fair performance of the sonata
In fair health
The caliber of the students has gone from mediocre to above average
The performance was middling at best
Fair
(of a manuscript) having few alterations or corrections;
Fair copy
A clean manuscript
Fair
Free of clouds or rain;
Today will be fair and warm
Fair
(used of hair or skin) pale or light-colored;
A fair complexion
Fair
In conformity with the rules or laws and without fraud or cheating;
They played fairly
Fair
In a fair evenhanded manner;
Deal fairly with one another
Common Curiosities
What does it mean for a law to be just?
A law is considered just when it is based on sound legal principles and enforced consistently without prejudice.
In what situations might fairness conflict with justice?
Fairness might conflict with justice in scenarios where applying a law equally (justice) does not result in equitable outcomes for all parties involved (fairness).
How do societal values influence what is considered fair?
Societal values, which can vary widely between cultures and over time, significantly influence perceptions of fairness by setting standards for what is considered equitable and just.
Why is procedural justice important in the concept of being just?
Procedural justice ensures that the methods and processes leading to judicial or organizational decisions are transparent, consistent, and impartial, which is essential for a decision to be seen as just.
How do organizations ensure their decisions are both just and fair?
Organizations often implement comprehensive guidelines and ethical standards, along with checks and balances, to ensure decisions uphold both legal standards (just) and moral equity (fair).
What challenges arise when trying to balance fairness and justice in international law?
Balancing fairness and justice in international law involves navigating differing legal systems, cultural values, and expectations, which can complicate enforcement and acceptance of rulings.
Can a policy be fair but not just?
Yes, a policy can be deemed fair in terms of its intentions and outcomes, promoting equity, but it might not align with existing legal frameworks, thereby not being just.
How do cultural differences impact perceptions of what is just and fair?
Cultural differences can significantly impact these perceptions by influencing what behaviors are considered morally acceptable and how laws are interpreted and applied.
What is distributive justice and how does it relate to fairness?
Distributive justice refers to the equitable allocation of resources and opportunities, closely aligning with the concept of fairness by striving to meet the needs of all individuals fairly.
What role does empathy play in making fair decisions?
Empathy plays a crucial role in fair decision-making as it allows decision-makers to consider the personal circumstances and impacts of their judgments on all individuals involved.
What is the impact of technology on ensuring fairness and justice?
Technology can enhance fairness and justice by improving transparency, accountability, and efficiency in processes, though it also raises concerns about privacy and bias in automated decisions.
How do fairness and justice influence public trust in the legal system?
High levels of fairness and justice in legal proceedings increase public trust by demonstrating that laws are applied equally and ethically, and that all individuals can expect equitable treatment.
How do historical injustices influence current standards of fairness and justice?
Historical injustices can shape current standards by highlighting the need for reforms and measures that address past wrongs and promote equity and inclusivity in present-day laws and policies.
How can personal biases affect judgments of fairness and justice?
Personal biases can skew perception and decision-making, leading to judgments that might favor one party over another or misinterpret the law, affecting both fairness and justice.
What is meant by 'just cause' in employment law?
'Just cause' in employment law refers to a legally valid or sufficient reason for taking specific actions, such as disciplining or terminating an employee, based on their performance or behavior.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
