Judge Judy was known to millions of people for her razor-sharp one-liners. However, one of Judy Sheindlin’s most timeless lessons is surprisingly kind. The sentiment comes from the ancient Greek philosophers Epictetus and Zeno of Citium, although Judge Judy popularized it on television.
Now, at 83, as Judy Sheindlin prepares to retire from television and hand over the courtroom to her son Adam Levy’s new series, Adam’s Law, the quote is especially fitting for her son and the next generation alike. Put another way, attentive listening frequently revealed what incessant talking attempted to hide. She would first allow both parties to tell their stories. She would then identify the contradictions in both parties’ stories. Only then would come the famous one-liners that her fans watched the show for. Her attention to the testimonies led to another one of her notable sayings. She would frequently remind litigants that honesty usually sounds simple, while fabricated stories grow increasingly complicated.
“If you tell the truth, you don’t have to have a good memory,” she had said.
