Always Hear Both Sides Before You Judge — Banji Alabi, Esq
Always Hear Both Sides Before You Judge — Banji Alabi, Esq
….Reveals Why Listening Before Judging Is a Mark of True Wisdom…..
ALWAYS DELAY JUDGMENT — LISTEN TO THE OTHER SIDE
Don’t base your judgment on what you see, what you heard from one party, or on hearsay. It is only fair to hear the other side and listen to their explanation before you judge.
As Lord Hewart, former Lord Chief Justice of England, famously said:
_“Justice must not only be done, but must also be seen to be done.”_
You cannot see justice done until both sides have spoken.
There is a story of a lovely little girl who was holding two apples, one in each hand.
Her mum came in and softly asked her with a smile, _“My sweetie, could you give your mum one of your two apples?”_
The girl looked up at her mum for a few seconds. Then she suddenly took a quick bite of one apple, and then quickly of the other.
The mum felt the smile on her face freeze. She tried hard not to reveal her disappointment.
Then the little girl handed one of the bitten apples to her mum and said, _“Mummy, here you are. This is the sweeter one.”_
Nelson Mandela understood this principle when he wrote:
_“I detest any form of racial discrimination, and I have dedicated my life to this struggle. But I also respect the fact that people have different views, and I listen before I judge.”_
LESSONS LEARNT:
No matter who you are, how experienced you are, or how knowledgeable you think you are —
ALWAYS DELAY JUDGMENT.
Give others the privilege to explain themselves. What you see or hear may not be the reality. Never conclude for others.
As U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg put it:
_“Real change, enduring change, happens one step at a time. And it begins with listening.”_
This is why we should never focus only on the surface and judge others without understanding them first.
God bless you. Have a wonderful weekend.
I love you All
Banji Alabi, Esq
About the Author
Banji Alabi, Esq. is a Lagos-based legal practitioner, public voice, and relentless advocate for the people. A change agent, incurable optimist, and carrier of good news, he blends law, conviction, and courage to challenge the status quo and inspire action. A devoted follower of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, his mission is simple: spread positivity, defend truth, and spark the kind of change that outlives us.
