Who guides others without violence, with justice and impartiality, guardian of the Dhamma and intelligent — such a one is called just.

Asāhasena dhammena samena nayatī pare — guides others without violence, with justice and impartiality: three qualities of the just leader: asāhasa (without violence), dhamma (according to Dhamma), sama (with impartiality). Justice requires all three simultaneously.

Dhammassa gutto medhāvī — guardian of the Dhamma and intelligent: gutta is protected, guarded. The just one is both protected by Dhamma and protector of Dhamma. Medhāvī adds the practical intelligence necessary to apply justice.

Dhammaṭṭhoti pavuccati — such a one is called just: the complete definition of dhammaṭṭha is established in verses 256-257 as a couplet. The just one is not the powerful but the discerning, impartial, and non-violent.

This definition has profound implications for justice administration: not the law of the strongest but the discernment of the wisest.