Jean de Chokier de Surlet
Jean de Chokier, Baron de Surlet (1571-1656) was a canon lawyer and political writer in the Prince-Bishopric of Liège. He is considered as "perhaps <nowiki>[Justus] Lipsius</nowiki>'s most important disciple". Life. Jean de Chokier de Surlet was born to a noble family at Liège on 14 January 1571. He was elected member of the powerful college of canons at the Cathedral of Our Lady and St. Lambert in Liège and went on to become general vicar for spiritual affairs under prince-bishop Ferdinand of Bavaria. He was taught by Justus Lipsius , who encouraged the influence of Tacitus and the use of "sententiae" and "exempla" to drive home political points. Each chapter in Chokier de Surlet's 1610 "Thesaurus Aphorismorum Politicorum" ("Treasury of Political Aphorisms") contained a section quoting extensively from ancient authorities, and another section with examples to prove the point.