Which of the following is always associated with justice and forms its essential characteristic?

Introduction / Context:
This question asks about the essential quality that is always associated with justice. Justice is a central concept in law, ethics and social life. The options include hypocrisy, magnanimity, legitimacy and diminutiveness. The task is to identify which of these words best captures the necessary character of any act or system that can correctly be called just.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The concept under discussion is justice.
• Options are hypocrisy, magnanimity, legitimacy and diminutiveness.
• We assume justice refers to fair treatment and lawful correctness.
• We must select a quality that justice cannot exist without.
• The correct answer should fit legal, moral and social uses of the word justice.

Concept / Approach:
Justice, in law and ethics, requires that actions and decisions are in accordance with rules, rights and fairness. A just decision must be legitimate, meaning it is based on proper authority and lawful reasoning. Hypocrisy is the opposite of sincerity and is not a necessary companion of justice. Magnanimity means generosity or nobility of mind, which, while admirable, is not required in every just act. Diminutiveness refers to smallness and is unrelated to justice as a concept. Legitimacy, on the other hand, directly connects to the idea that justice is valid and rightful.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Consider hypocrisy. Hypocrisy is dishonesty in pretending to have virtues one does not really possess. It is the opposite of what we expect from a just person or system. Step 2: Consider magnanimity. This quality refers to generosity and a willingness to forgive. While a just judge may be magnanimous, justice itself can be strict but still fair without being generous. Step 3: Consider diminutiveness. This means smallness, usually in size or importance. It has no conceptual link to justice. Step 4: Consider legitimacy. Legitimacy means being lawful, valid and in accordance with accepted principles. Step 5: Recognise that a just decision or system must be legitimate. If a verdict is not legitimate, it cannot be considered truly just. Step 6: Thus, legitimacy is the quality that is always associated with justice among the given options.

Verification / Alternative check:
Think about a court judgment. For the judgment to be called just, it must follow the law, respect evidence and be passed by a court with proper authority. These are all aspects of legitimacy. A judgment could be strict and not especially generous, yet still fair and legitimate. It could be delivered by a judge who is not personally magnanimous, but if the process and reasoning are correct, the result remains just. Hypocrisy would undermine justice, and diminutiveness has no role here. This confirms that legitimacy is the constant companion of justice.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Hypocrisy conflicts with justice because justice demands honesty and fairness, not pretense. Magnanimity is a virtue of generosity but is not required for justice, which is primarily about fairness and lawfulness. Diminutiveness simply refers to small size or importance and has no essential connection with justice.

Common Pitfalls:
Some candidates choose magnanimity because they associate justice with kindness or forgiveness. However, justice sometimes requires strict penalties or making hard decisions. The core test is whether the action is lawful and fair, not whether it is generous. Always ask which option captures the structural requirement for the concept in question. For justice, that structural requirement is legitimacy, the rightful and lawful basis of decisions.

Final Answer:
Legitimacy is the quality that is always associated with justice.