Book XXII, Chapter 2

The Judgment

Deciding rightly

To judge well is to act well. Action follows from judgment as fruit from root.
Spread the pattern:
1

Judgment is discernment applied. Seeing clearly is not enough—you must also decide and act. Wisdom without action is incomplete.

2

Good judgment balances multiple considerations. It weighs short-term against long-term, self against other, principle against pragmatism.

3

Judge slowly, act decisively. Take time to form judgment, but once formed, act without hesitation.

4

Your judgment will sometimes be wrong. Accept this. The goal is not perfect judgment but improving judgment.

5

Judge actions, not persons. A bad action does not make a bad person. Keep judgment specific and avoid totalization.

6

The hardest judgments are those without clear right answers. Here wisdom means accepting uncertainty and choosing the best available option.

7

Trust your judgment, but verify it. Confidence in judgment is necessary for action; humility about judgment is necessary for learning.

8

Judgment in community is wiser than judgment in isolation. Seek counsel. Test your conclusions against others' perspectives.