"Judging is a lonely job in which a man is, as near as may be, an island entire"

Abe Fortas, a popular figure in American legal history, succinctly encapsulates the essence of judicial seclusion in his quote: "Judging is a lonely task in which a man is, as near as might be, an island entire". This statement strongly portrays the particular and typically separating nature of the judicial profession. It emphasizes the solitude fundamental in sensible duties, where a judge needs to differ from societal pressures to provide unbiased justice.

Fortas draws a metaphorical parallel with John Donne's famous assertion that "no male is an island", recommending that while human beings are inherently linked, a judge's function forces a state of isolation similar to being an island. This suggests that judges operate in a space delineated by neutrality and detachment, which is essential to preserving impartiality and fairness. The reference of an "island whole" highlights this notion, indicating self-sufficiency and self-reliance, which are requisite qualities for objective deliberation and decision-making.

The lonesome element of the task also speaks to the weight of obligation borne by a judge. With choices that can have extensive social ramifications, judges must depend on their understanding of the law and their ethical compass to render judgments. This self-reliance might naturally distance them from the impacts and sociabilities that others might rely on for guidance or affirmation.

Furthermore, the solitude of evaluating reflects the internal dispute and moral issues judges frequently face. They need to reconcile their analyses of the law with ethical factors to consider, typically in controversial or high-stakes cases. This process can lead to an internal isolation, where individual beliefs and legal commitments should be thoroughly stabilized.

In essence, Fortas records the distinct privacy intrinsic to the judicial function, highlighting the integrity, self-reliance, and inner strength required to fulfill such a demanding position. The judge, like an island, stands alone in their task to uphold justice, detached from external pressures yet naturally linked to the society they serve.