Chapter 8

The Assessors

The foremost of the twice-born, who are not greedy, are wealthy, know the sacred law, are truthful, and are proficient in all sacred texts, should be made assessors. // K_071 //

Where a decision is made by assessors in transgression of the science of logic, there, without a doubt, sacred law, being struck down by unrighteousness, strikes back. // K_072 //

Where sacred law is struck down by unrighteousness, and truth by falsehood, the court members who look on are themselves struck down. // K_073 //

The court assessors should not overlook a proceeding that has begun unrighteously. If they overlook it, they, along with the king, go headlong to hell. // K_074 //

Those court assessors who follow a king proceeding unjustly also become partakers in that sin; therefore, the king should be corrected by them. // K_075 //

When an assessor perceives the king's mind has strayed from the path of justice, he should speak what is truly beneficial in that situation; in doing so, the assessor does not become sinful. // K_076 //

An assessor must speak words that are endowed with righteousness and meaning. If the king does not listen, the assessor is then free from blame. // K_077 //

When the king directs the litigants towards unrighteousness, the assessor, having informed the king, should then withdraw from the case. // K_078 //

An assessor who speaks otherwise out of affection, ignorance, greed, or delusion is to be punished; indeed, he is considered unfit to be an assessor. // K_079 //

An assessor, having correctly understood the determination of the case, should then speak. He should not speak otherwise; one who does so is liable for double the punishment. // K_080 //

Whatever is lost due to the fault of an assessor must then be paid by that assessor. The case of the litigants, once decided, should not be reconsidered. // K_081 //