The only way to eliminate any government choice on what art is worthwhile, what art isn't worthwhile, is to get the government totally out of the business of funding.
Antonin ScaliaRead
Bear in mind that brains and learning, like muscle and physical skill, are articles of commerce. They are bought and sold. You can hire them by the year or by the hour. The only thing in the world not for sale is character.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes that while knowledge and skills can be acquired, true character cannot be bought or sold.
Antonin Scalia's quote highlights the distinction between learnable skills and inherent values. It suggests that while education and expertise can be traded in the marketplace, a person's character—defined by their integrity, morals, and ethical standards—remains priceless and cannot be commodified. This serves as a reminder that the qualities that define who we are are of far greater importance than any qualifications or abilities we might possess.
Themes
CharacterLearningKnowledgeSkillsIntegrity
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used to inspire students at a graduation ceremony.
More from Antonin Scalia
All quotes →If I have brought any message today, it is this: Have the courage to have your wisdom regarded as stupidity. Be fools for Christ. And have the courage to suffer the contempt of the sophisticated world.
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To allow the policy question of same-sex marriage to be considered and resolved by a select, patrician, highly unrepresentative panel of nine is to violate a principle even more fundamental than no taxation without representation: no social transformation without representation.
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Until the courts put a stop to it, public debate over same-sex marriage displayed American democracy at its best. Individuals on both sides of the issue passionately, but respectfully, attempted to persuade their fellow citizens to accept their views.
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Being a good person begins with being a wise person. Then, when you follow your conscience, will you be headed in the right direction.
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If you're going to be a good and faithful judge, you have to resign yourself to the fact that you're not always going to like the conclusions you reach. If you like them all the time, you're probably doing something wrong.
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