--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: None of the modes by which a magistrate…" description: "\"None of the modes by which a magistrate is appointed, popular election, the accident of the lot, or the accident of birth, affords, as far as we can pe..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/17a/thomas-b-macaulay-1980_accidents_none-of-the-modes-by-which-a-magistrate_78431.jpg" --- # None of the modes by which a magistrate is appointed… ![“None of the modes by which a magistrate is appointed, popular election, the accident of the lot, or the accident of birth, affords, as far as we can perceive, much security for his being wiser than any of his neighbours. The chance of his being wiser than all his neighbours together is still…” quote by Thomas B. Macaulay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/17a/thomas-b-macaulay-1980_accidents_none-of-the-modes-by-which-a-magistrate_78431.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/17a/thomas-b-macaulay-1980_accidents_none-of-the-modes-by-which-a-magistrate_78431.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/17a/thomas-b-macaulay-1980_accidents_none-of-the-modes-by-which-a-magistrate_78431.jpg) > “None of the modes by which a magistrate is appointed, popular election, the accident of the lot, or the accident of birth, affords, as far as we can perceive, much security for his being wiser than any of his neighbours. The chance of his being wiser than all his neighbours together is still smaller.” [Thomas B. Macaulay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-b-macaulay/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The method of selecting judges—whether by vote, lottery, or inheritance—offers little guarantee that they will be more intelligent than the average citizen, let alone collectively wiser than the whole community. **In simple terms:** Selection methods lack assurance of superior wisdom. Key Takeaway No appointment system ensures wiser judges. Themes politics governance human nature decision-making meritocracy Mood skeptical critical analytical Type aphilosophical political observational When to use this quote - judicial reform debates - constitutional design discussions - public policy analysis - civic education - political philosophy lectures Key Concepts appointment wisdom randomness election Practical Applications - designing merit‑based selection processes - evaluating existing appointment systems Questions to Reflect On - How might we improve the criteria for choosing judges? - Does collective wisdom outweigh individual expertise in governance? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Accidents](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accidents/) [Being wise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being-wise/) [Birth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/birth/) [Chance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chance/) [Civil rights](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civil-rights/) [Election](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/election/) [Liberty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/liberty/) [Magistrate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/magistrate/) [Magistrate Appointed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/magistrate-appointed-1008380/) [Magistrates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/magistrates/) [Modes Magistrate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/modes-magistrate-1008379/) [Neighbour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/neighbour/) [Neighbours Smaller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/neighbours-smaller-1008378/) [Perceive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/perceive/) [Security](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/security/) [Stills](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stills/) [Together](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/together/) [Wiser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wiser/) [Wiser Neighbours](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wiser-neighbours-1008377/) ## Related quotes > [None of the modes by which a magistrate is appointed, popular election, the accident of the lot, or the accident of birth, affords, as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/none-of-the-modes-by-which-a-magistrate-is-appointed-popular-election-2/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [A just and wise magistrate is a blessing as extensive as the community to which he belongs; a blessing which includes all other blessings…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-atterbury/a-just-and-wise-magistrate-is-a-blessing-as-extensive-as-the/) [Francis Atterbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-atterbury/) > [The care of souls cannot belong to the civil magistrate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-locke/the-care-of-souls-cannot-belong-to-the-civil-magistrate/) [John Locke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-locke/) > [I do not judge you. 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