Unnatural Causes

by Dr Richard Shepherd

Since then, if I am in court and the going gets tough, my coping mechanism is Alexander Pope. The lines my father wrote so painstakingly for me in that dictionary all those years ago instructed me to speak diffidently even when sure I am right, to readily admit the possibility that I may be wrong, to examine my errors and admit to them, to teach or correct others with generous regard for their feelings, never to agree for politeness’ sake with concepts I know are wrong and to accept correction when it is appropriate. Despite the aggression and single-mindedness our adversarial system fosters, and its frequent disregard for the truth, I try to hold to Pope’s principles.