Nahj al-Balāgha

٤٣٧. وَسُئِلَ (علیه السلام) أَیُّهُمَا أَفْضَلُ: الْعَدْلُ أَوِ الْجُودُ؟ فَقَالَ (علیه السلام):

437. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, was asked: Which of the two is better; justice or generosity? Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, replied:

الْعَدْلُ يَضَعُ الْأُمُورَ مَوَاضِعَهَا، والْجُودُ يُخْرِجُهَا عَنْ جِهَتِهَا، وَالْعَدْلُ سَائِسٌ عَامٌّ، وَالْجُودُ عَارضٌ خَاصٌّ، فَالْعَدْلُ أَشْرَفُهُمَا وَأَفْضَلُهُمَا.

Justice puts things in their places while generosity takes them out from their directions; justice is the general caretaker while generosity is a particular benefit. Consequently, justice is superior and more distinguished of the two.