The Magical Ritual of The Sanctum Regnum
Eliphas Levi
VIII. Justice - La Justice
You must never forget that the priest is a king, and the wise man is a judge. There are in this world both the weak and the strong, the poor and the rich, there are both the ignorant and the learned. The former are ever the servitors of the latter; but if the former do their works worthily they thereby become worthy of admission to the concourse of masters, while the useless servants are to be cast away. It is well, therefore, to teach men how to serve well, so that they may come forward into a place of power. All things upon this world, and all below the surface belong to the domain of man.
Created beings roar, groan, hiss, coo, and weave around man as a centre; man alone speaks to his fellows and to God; and the voice of God upon earth is spoken through man. The science of life is written in the Book of Nature, but man alone can read it. The wise and powerful translate the words of this book into creeds and symbols for the instruction of the feeble and ignorant. When you speak to such as are like children, speak as to children. Do not sell the secrets of wisdom, and do not divulge them to pander to curiosity.
A man should form his opinions in freedom, and thus he may resemble the ideal of divinity. Cast not the pearls of mystic science before those of low and evil mind who have no knowledge, those whom the Testament calls swine. To such persons, whether you speak the truth, or veil the truth, there is but misunderstanding; deception haunts them, they estimate all things by a faulty conscience. You may dazzle them by the glancing of the sword, but do not let them approach the wand or clavicule. If you wish to have no need to fear an evil person, make him fear you. Remember the conduct of Moses before Pharaoh. Do not put faith in the benevolence of a priest of idols, nor in the sincerity of a pretender to wisdom, for these men will hate you as a destroyer of their livelihood and domination. Keep a steady watch against being placed in danger by accepting the caresses of a woman; remember how Samson was decoyed by Delilah. Do not be familiar with any woman when alone with her, or in the dark; remember Orpheus and Eurydice. Make yourself beloved of women, that they be made happier; but never love any woman so much that you cannot be happy without her. As to the beings of the elements, the love which they have for a Magus immortalises them, whether Sylphs, Gnomes, Undines, or fiery Salamandrines, but the love of such beings by a Magus is insensate and may destroy him. Be ever intelligent and just to such elemental beings, and you will be rewarded with happiness because of your good actions.
Notes
The Eighth Tarot Trump, named Justice, represents a seated female figure robed and crowned, holding a sword in the right hand and a pair of scales in the left hand. Levi gives as its meaning the equilibrium of attraction and repulsion. P. Christian gives similar meanings, adding in the Physical World it refers to Human Justice, which is always fallible and tinctured with personal motives or personal emotions.