I had felt qualms of conscience about my action in this, my first court.

A new judge is very apt to stand so straight as really to lean a little backward.

Only experience teaches the supreme force of gentleness.

Light but certain punishment, when necessary, is most effective.

Severe punishments are not needed and a judicious pardon, for the first offense at least, is often best of all.
As the half-dozen young men who constituted our inner circle grew in knowledge, it was inevitable that the mysteries of life and death, the here and the hereafter, should cross our path and have to be grappled with.