How did John Stuart Mill connect utilitarianism with justice and honesty?

John Stuart Mill connected utilitarianism with justice and honesty by arguing that individuals should not attempt to calculate the utility of every specific action. Instead, he proposed that moral agents should be guided by general principles—such as the requirement to be honest or just—because the consistent adherence to these principles tends to increase overall happiness.1

Rather than evaluating each act in isolation, Mill suggested that utilitarianism is compatible with established moral convictions when actions are viewed as falling under these useful general rules. In this framework, an action is considered right or wrong based on its conformity to a rule whose general practice promotes the greatest good. Exceptions to these principles are only necessary under special circumstances where the standard calculation of utility must be reconsidered. By emphasizing the long-term benefits of maintaining trustworthiness and security through these rules, Mill sought to reconcile utilitarian philosophy with the demands of justice and truthfulness.12