“Be cautious in judgment”
HaRav Chaim Shmulevitz zt”l (1903-1979), Rosh Yeshiva of the Mirrer Yeshiva in Yerushalayim, cites the gemara (Sanhedrin 7a), that a judge should always picture himself in the position where a sharp knife is between his thighs...
The degree of prudence to be exercised by a judge who is adjudicating is analogous to the extreme caution one implements when a sharp knife is placed against his neck and any slight movement could be injurious or even fatal.
Rav Yitzchok Karo makes reference to the Choshen Mishpat which suggests that individuals should try to resolve their differences by compromising, rather than hastening to settle the matter at a din Torah.
