Let judges secretly despair of justice: their verdicts will be more acute. Let generals secretly despair of triumph; killing will be defamed. Let priests secretly despair of faith: their compassion will be true.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
People do not always understand the motives of sublime conduct, and when they are astonished they are very apt to think they ought to be alarmed. The truth is none are fit judges of greatness but those who are capable of it.
Whatever flaws or personal failings afflict them, it remains the case that the overwhelming majority of priests and politicians are honourable and honest - seeking to live out their beliefs and serve society.
All judges have cases that touch our passions deeply, but we all struggle constantly with remaining impartial.
Judges must beware of hard constructions and strained inferences, for there is no worse torture than that of laws.
The genuine priest always feels something higher than compassion.
But one way or another, judges perform a very vital function in our society. They have a risky job and they are entitled to security.
We're seeing the fulfillment of the Book of Judges here in our own time - every man doing that which is right in his own eyes.
Whoever undertakes to set himself up as a judge of Truth and Knowledge is shipwrecked by the laughter of the gods.
The Bible says, 'Judge not lest ye be judged.' Our lives are supposed to be hospitals, not courtrooms.
In the fallen there is danger of pride and vainglory, since they prefer their own judgment to the judgment of everyone else, usurping what is not their own by setting themselves up as judges in their own cause when the rightful judge is their superior.