Proverbial quality that judge has but lord lacks (8)
I believe the answer is:
sobriety
'proverbial quality' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both human attributes as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
I don't understand the remainder of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for sobriety that I've seen before include "Opposite of drunkenness" , "Calmness, dispassion" , "Abstemiousness" , "lack of passion" , "restraint" .)