Note 15 — Chapter V · “RIGHT” AS A GESTURAL SIGN
Reading edition
The significations included in this class are numerous and various. As follows:
59. “In conformity with the moral law; permitted by the principle which ought to regulate conduct; in accordance with truth, justice, duty, or the will of God; ethically good, equitable, just.”
60. “A poor man has no [legal] right to relief, but it is [morally] right that he should have it. A rich man has a [legal] right to destroy the harvest of his fields, but to do so would not be [morally] right.”
61. “Goodness in actions is like unto straightness; wherefore that which is done well we term right.”
62. “Cousin of Hereford, as thy cause is right, So be thy fortune in this royal fight.”
63. “He Who now is Sovran can dispose and bid What shall be right.”
64. “That which is consonant with equity, or the light of nature; that which is morally just or due.”
65. “Right conduct; a just and good act, or course of action; anything which justly may or should be done.”
66. “Wrest once the law to your authority; To do a great right, do a little wrong.”
67. “Too fond of the right to do the expedient.”
68. “With firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right.”
69. The right; the cause of truth and justice.
70. That which is proper for or incumbent on one to do: one’s duty. (Obsolete.)
71. The standard of permitted and forbidden action within a certain sphere. (Obsolete.)
72. “Obedience to or harmony with the rules of morality, justice, truth, and propriety.”
73. “Acting in accordance with the highest moral standard; free from guilt or blame.”
74. “A God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is his name.”
75. “I have made him just and right, Sufficient to have stood, though free to fall.”
76. “Right reason: that which recommends itself to enlightened intelligence: some inward intimation for which great respect is felt and which is supposed to be common to the mass of mankind.”
77. To be in the right; “to have justice, fact, or reason upon one’s side.”
78. In prepositional phrases, with, by, of right; properly, with reason, justice, etc.
79. To have a right. To have reason or cause; hence, to come near, have a narrow escape from (sic!); e. g., “I’d a good right to be run over by the train this morning.” (Colloquial.)
80. “Divine right of kings.”
81. “Right way; the way of moral excellence or spiritual salvation.” “But you are a presbyterian...?” “I am, sir; praised be the light that shewed me the right way!”
82. Of persons and dispositions; disposed to do what is just.
83. Of belief; orthodox, true. That which ought to be accepted or followed.
84. To do justice to; to relieve from distress; to vindicate; often used reflexively.
“So just is God, to right the innocent.”
85. To do right; to act according to the “law or will of God.”
86. To feel right toward a person; to be either kind, or sympathetic, or to cooperate with him.