407. It needs to be said what loving the neighbour means. Loving the neighbour is not only wishing well and doing good to a relative, a friend or a good person, but also to a stranger, one who is no friend, or a wicked person. But charity is exercised in different ways with these two groups: by means of direct kindnesses to a relative or friend, but by indirect kindnesses to one who is no friend or wicked. These indirect kindnesses are done by way of appeals, penalties and punishments, and so by attempts to reform him. The following can serve as an illustration. A judge who punishes a wrong-doer according to the law and justice, is loving his neighbour. For thus he reforms him, and takes care to prevent his fellow citizens being wronged. Everyone knows that a father who chastises his children when they do wrong loves them; and in the opposite case if he does not chastise them for it, he loves their faults, and this cannot be called charity. Moreover, if anyone repels an unfriendly attack and strikes the attacker in self-defence, or hands him over to a judge, so as to avoid suffering harm, still with the intention of becoming his friend, his actions are in the mainstream of charity. Neither are wars which are intended to protect one's country or church contrary to charity. The purpose for which they are undertaken determines whether or not they are charitable.