# Chapter LXI explained — Short Works

> Chapter companion for Short Works by Epictetus.

## What happens

Epictetus advises on achieving just judgment by ignoring the biased parties and advocates in a dispute and focusing solely on the principle of justice itself.

## Themes in this chapter

### Practical Ethics and Self-Discipline

Provides a practical rule for exercising impartiality and justice in personal judgment, a key aspect of ethical self-discipline.

## Character check-ins

### Epictetus

The speaker delivering the core instruction on impartial judgment.

## Key lines

> If you wish to make your judgments just, listen not to (regard not) any of those who are parties (to the suit), nor to those who plead in it, but listen to justice itself.

To judge fairly, ignore the biased arguments of the people involved and focus only on the abstract standard of justice.

_Encapsulates the Stoic method of separating personal bias and persuasion from objective ethical reasoning._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/epictetus_short_works_se/chapters/lxi
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/epictetus_short_works_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/epictetus_short_works_se/chapters