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Justinian I · The Digest of Justinian §1.18.19.pr-1.18.19.1

Proper Demeanor and Dignity of Governors in Administering Justice

Passage 221 of 9271 · Latin

Summary

Callistratus advises that a governor administering justice must strike a balance between accessibility and dignity, avoiding excessive familiarity with provincials, and remain emotionally detached and firm during trials.

[CALLISTRATUS libro primo de cognitionibus. ] §1.18.19.prObseruandum est ius reddenti, ut in adeundo quidem facilem se praebeat, sed contemni non patiatur.
[CALLISTRATUS, in the first book on Judicial Inquiries.] He who administers justice must observe that, while he shows himself easy of access, he does not allow himself to be treated with contempt.
unde mandatis adicitur, ne praesides prouinciarum in ulteriorem familiaritatem prouinciales admittant: nam ex conuersatione aequali contemptio dignitatis nascitur.
Hence it is added to the imperial instructions that governors of provinces should not admit provincials to too great familiarity; for from equal intercourse arises contempt for official dignity.
§1.18.19.1Sed et in cognoscendo neque excandescere aduersus eos, quos malos putat, neque precibus calamitosorum inlacrimari oportet: id enim non est constantis et recti iudicis, cuius animi motum uultus detegit.
But also, in hearing cases, he ought neither to fly into a passion against those whom he considers wicked, nor to shed tears at the entreaties of the unfortunate; for this is not the part of a firm and upright judge, whose facial expression betrays the emotion of his mind.
et summatim ita ius reddi debet, ut auctoritatem dignitatis ingenio suo augeat.
And in short, justice ought to be administered in such a manner that he increases the authority of his office by his own character.

Notes

  1. §1.18.19.prius reddenti — Dative of agent with the passive periphrastic conjugation `obseruandum est`. The substantivized present participle `reddenti` refers to "the one who administers justice."
  2. §1.18.19.1non est constantis et recti iudicis — Predicative use of the possessive genitive with the copula `est`, signifying "it is not the part/duty/characteristic of a firm and upright judge."
  3. §1.18.19.1ingenio suo — Ablative of means. Here, `ingenium` refers to the judge's innate character, moral disposition, or personal ability, indicating that they should enhance the dignity of their office through their internal qualities rather than outward force.

Cite this passage

Justinian I, The Digest of Justinian §1.18.19.pr-1.18.19.1. Humanitext Reader, https://reader.humanitext.ai/en/text/urn:cts:latinLit:phi2806.phi002.humanitext-lat1:1.18.19.pr-1.18.19.1

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