Fidelity Wherever We Are Situated
The truest nobility is fidelity wherever we are situated. An illustrious example is given in the following account: A duke went to the home of Sir Matthew Hale, one of England’s greatest judges, and told him he was engaged in a lawsuit which would come before Hale for judgment in a few days. He said he wanted to give Hale a statement of the case, so that he might understand it when it came into his court. The great jurist reproved him sharply. “Not one word,” he said, “will I hear. I will listen to the case in open court, and decide it on its merits.” The duke said that the plaintiff was “only a common farmer.” “That makes no difference,” Hale said; “when a man comes into my court, it is his case, not his rank, that I consider.” The duke still protested. He wanted to acquaint the judge with certain facts that it would not be pleasant to mention in open court. Hale answered that if his visitor persisted, and did not leave the house at once, he would commit him to prison. The duke left and went to the king to complain. The king heard his story and laughed. “Faith,” he said, “I think you are lucky. I wonder he did not send you to prison. I verily believe he would not hesitate to commit me to prison if he thought I was trying to get him to help me do some one a wrong.”—Selected.