The Devil's Advocate [antikvár]

FOREWORDMy father once told me an old scottish legend which forms the basis for the name of this book: the devil'sadvocate.We Scots have long been known as a race which produces the most meticulous, eloquent and canny lawyers, and, in fact, we are sometimes designated by the English as "a race of advocates." After theology, the Scots love law, and even a Highlander however remotely situated on his mountains is an authority on local or national statutes, and can and will argue them with passionate and exhaustive interest.A people so devoted by nature to law have many legends about it. It seems that centuries ago the Devil was incarcerated in the gaol of an obscure Highland village, charged with various crimes against humanity. No "advocate" would at first defend him, but a scrupulous judge finally appointed a lawyer for the defense. The entire hamlet was determined that the Devil be condemned, including the advocate who was a very religious man of great probity. He spent many nights in desperate prayer. How could he, while maintaining his integrity as the appointed defender of the Devil, so present the case to the jury that the Devil would be condemned?While "defending" the Devil he must also awaken the people to the presence of evil, and its horrors, which the Devil represented. He finally hit upon a solution.He would reveal the Devil in all his power and his terribleness and his infamy while ostensibly defending him! He would gain the admiration of his just neighbors by an open defense, and their respect when he "lost" the case. Moreover, they would learn to recognize evil forevermore when it was exposed before all eyes.So, in court, he conducted the defense brilliantly. He subtly revealed to the judge and the jury and the assembled people all the potency and frightfulness of the Devil, by questioning the Devil and having him condemn himself by his own words. He adroitly brought out the fact to the people that the Devil would not be in their midst without their own guilt and the secret envies, sins and errors in their own hearts. He was able to lead the Devil to admit that his plot against mankind had no limits, and, at intervals, the advocate would exhort the people to "admire" such vast intel-7