How the Great Thinkers Viewed Judges

As the Election of 2013 draws near, its interesting to consider how the early philosophers thought about Judges.In considering the all important aspect of character, Socrates (470-399 B.C.) said "Four things belong to a Judge: to hear courteously, to answer wisely, to consider soberly, and to decide impartially." 'These elements of character are as important today as they were when Socrates spoke about them nearly three thousand years ago.Another legendary Greek philosopher, Plato wrote in The Republic around 370 B.C., putting great emphasis on experience said "The Judge should not be young: he should have learned to know evil, not from his own soul, but from late and long observance of the nature of evil in others: knowledge should be his guide, not personal experience." We also expect our Judges today to follow the law themselves and that has always been the case according to Cicero (106-43 B.C.) who said "'Ye Judges who give judgements by law, ought to be obedient to the laws." In that same vein the English legal thinker, Frances Bacon around 1623 said" When a Judge departs from the letter of the law, he becomes a law breaker." 

We hope our Judges are careful and circumspect. We want them to bring justice. This notion is not a new one and as Horace said in 13 B.C. "A good and faithful Judge prefers what is right, to what is expedient." Not long thereafter Ovid, echoed the same sentiment when he said "It is the duty of a Judge to inquire not only into the matter but into the circumstances of the matter."All of these ancient philosophers realized how important character, experience, honesty, patience, and knowledge are in the making of a good Judge. Consider all those factors when you go to the polls on May 21, 2013, and elect two new Judges for Fayette County.