Hear the Other Side
E. Johnson Proverbs 18:17 He that is first in his own cause seems just; but his neighbor comes and searches him. There is no truer, as there is no homelier maxim, than that we should "hear the other side," or - what is virtually the same thing - "there are two sides to everything." This is the idea in the text; the lessons are - I. WE SHOULD NOT EXPECT ABSOLUTE ACCURACY WHEN A MAN TELLS HIS OWN CASE. 1. He may intentionally misrepresent it. 2. He may unconsciously misstate it. How things shape themselves to our mind depends on our individual standpoint; and when two men regard a subject from different and even opposite points of view, they necessarily see it, and as necessarily state it, with considerable variation. Such are the limitations of our mental faculties, and such is our tendency to be biassed in our own favour, that no wise man will expect his neighbour to give him the whole case, without either addition, colouring, or omission, when he pleads his own cause. II. WE SHOULD REMEMBER THE INEQUALITY IN MEN'S CAPACITY OF PRESENTMENT. Some men can make a very lame cause look like a sound one; but others cannot give to a good cause the appearance of justice to which it is entitled. Truth often yields to advocacy. III. WE SHOULD INSIST ON HEARING THE OTHER SIDE. This is due to both sides. 1. It is in the true interest of the complainant, or he will persuade us to give him credence to which he is not morally entitled; he will then wrong his brother; he will be an oppressor or a defamer; from this evil end we should save him by our good sense. 2. It is due to the defendant; for otherwise he will have judgment passed when things have been left unspoken which certainly ought to be taken into the account. Justice imperatively demands that we should never condemn our neighbour until we have heard what he has to say for himself. 3. It is due to ourselves; otherwise we shall not be just, and it is our Saviour's express desire that we should "judge righteous judgment" (John 7:24), and we shall not be like unto "him who judgeth righteously." Our Christian character will be incomplete and our life will be blemished. Moreover: 4. It is due to the cause of Christ; for if we condemn or acquit without full and impartial inquiry, we shall do injustice to many, and we shall certainly do injury in many ways to the cause and kingdom of our Lord. - C. Parallel Verses KJV: He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him. WEB: He who pleads his cause first seems right; until another comes and questions him.