“I had learnt to find out the better side of human nature and to enter men’s hearts. I realised that the true function of a lawyer was to unite parties riven asunder.”
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About this quote
A role built around winning can quietly forget its point. Reaching for what's decent in each side, rather than exploiting the worst, turns a contest into repair — and often leaves both parties better off than any verdict would. The deeper skill is reconciling people, not defeating one of them.
When to use it
- A mediator helps two feuding siblings settle an estate without the lawsuit that would have severed them for good.
- A manager reframes a turf war so both departments walk out with something instead of one crushing the other.
- A counselor draws out each partner's better intentions until they stop scoring points and start listening.