That's the outlook, roughly, that when somebody does something that violates legal or moral norms, they've committed a wrong, and in so doing they've put the scales of justice somehow out of line.
"Chosen trauma," were the words the political psychiatrist Vamik Volkan used to described the way nations, as well as individuals, can seize upon a wrong done to them to the exclusion of any wrongs committed by themselves.
"Both Deputy President Motlanthe and Ms Mtshali are firmly of the view that they have committed no wrong doing of any kind in relation to the alleged events described in the Sunday Times story," the statement reads.
This basic rule of justice essentially acknowledges that government committing a wrong under its official capacity is far worse than a private citizen doing so, undermining belief in and support for that government.
"This is a case that should define the difference between someone committing a wrong and committing a crime," he said.
He commits a wrong, but disguises his motives in a smoke trail of disinformation.
Ask Allah for forgiveness open-heartedly when you commit a wrong deed.
"He doesn't even attempt to countenance he might have committed a breach and done something wrong".
Under an insanity defense, Mrs. Yates was required to prove in her trial not that she was sane at the time of the killings, but that she did not know she was committing a crime or doing wrong.
He committed a crime and did time.
