Brewer's: Balance

(The) “Libra,” the 7th sign of the zodiac, which contains the autumnal equinox. According to fable it is Astræa, who, in the iron age, returned from earth to heaven. Virgil, to praise the equity of Augustus, promises him a future residence in this sign.

According to Persian mythology, at the last day there will be a huge balance big as the vault of heaven. The two scale pans will be called that of light and that of darkness. In the former all good will be placed, in the latter all evil. And each individual will receive an award according to the judgment of the balance.

Balance

He has a good balance at his bankers. His credit side shows a large balance in his favour.

Balance of power.
The States of Europe being so balanced that no one nation shall have such a preponderance as to endanger the independence of another.

Balance of trade.
The money-value difference between the exports and imports of a nation.

To balance an account.
To add up the debit and credit sides, and subtract the less of the two from the greater. The remainder is called the balance.

To strike a balance.
To calculate the exact difference, if any, between the debit and credit side of an account.
Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894
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