Have had the hearings on in the background as I work at my desk this morning and I don't think I have yet heard an "um" or "uh" from Roberts. He's an impressive guy, and I think some of his answers were pretty bold albeit in an understated & subtle way. I want to scrutinize a few things in the transcript, though, since I've been listening with only one ear.
The overall impression I have had however, reminded me of the passage in Aristotle's Ethics where he describes the [great-souled or superior] "magnanimous man" often finding himself in the position of submitting to the scrutiny of inferior men. I couldn't easily find the passage I remembered, but perhaps this little nugget from St. Thomas makes the point. Here, Thomas is making a distinction between magnanimity, which is a virtue [really a collection of virtues], and presumption, which is a vice. Both seemed to be on display this morning in the Senate chambers.
No one attempts what is above his ability, except in so far as he deems his ability greater than it is. In this one may err in two ways. First only as regards quantity, as when a man thinks he has greater virtue, or knowledge, or the like, than he has. Secondly, as regards the kind of thing, as when he thinks himself great, and worthy of great things, by reason of something that does not make him so, for instance by reason of riches or goods of fortune. For, as the Philosopher says (Ethic. iv, 3), "those who have these things without virtue, neither justly deem themselves worthy of great things, nor are rightly called magnanimous."
That is, we can be presumptuous in two ways. Either by thinking we're more virtuous or talented than we are, or by thinking that wealth or high-birth or other incidentals are what makes us great. Thomas then goes on to cite Seneca's description of the result of presumption.
when magnanimity exceeds its measure, it makes a man high-handed, proud, haughty, restless, and bent on excelling in all things, whether in words or in deeds, without any considerations of virtue.In other words, qualified to sit on the Senate Judiciary Committee.
