ove of good
in accordance with their state is to love the neighbor; that
is, the neighbor is the good of these, which is the common good
that must be consulted (n. 6818-6824, 8123). Civil good also,
which is justice, is a neighbor (n. 2915, 4730, 8120-8123).
Therefore charity towards the neighbor extends itself to all
things and each thing of the life of man; and loving good and
doing good from love of good and truth, and also doing what is
just from a love of what is just in every function and in every
work, is loving the neighbor (n. 2417, 8121-8124).

218. From all this it can be seen what the governors there are,
namely, that they are such as are preeminent in love and wisdom, and
therefore desire the good of all, and from wisdom know how to provide
for the realization of that good. Such governors do not domineer or
dictate, but they minister and serve (to serve meaning to do good to
others from a love of the good, and to minister meaning to see to it
that the good is done); nor do they make themselves greater than
others, but less, for they put the good of society and of the
neighbor in the first place, and put their own good last; and
whatever is in the first place is greater and what is last is less.
Nevertheless, the rulers have honor and glory; they dwell in the
midst of the society, in higher position than the rest, and also in
magnificent palaces; and this glory and honor they accept not for the
sake of themselves but for the sake of obedience; for all there know
that they have this honor and glory from the Lord, and on that
account should be obeyed. This is what is meant by the Lord's words
to His disciples:

Whosoever would become great among you let him be your
minister; and whosoever would be first among you let him
be your servant; as the Son of man came not to be
ministered unto but to minister (Matt. 20:27, 28).

He that is greatest among you let him be as the least, and
he that is chief as he that doth minister (Luke 22:26).

219. Also in each house there is a like government in a lesser form.
In every house there is a master and there are servants; the master
loves the servants and the servants love the master, consequently
they serve each other from love. The master teaches how they ought to
live, and tells what is to be done; the servants obey and perform
their duties. To perform use is the delight of everyone's life. This
shows that the Lor