I've always said that at the end of the day, on a legal issue, I think a wise old woman and a wise old man are going to reach the same conclusion.
Sandra Day O'ConnorRead
Commitment to the rule of law provides a basic assurance that people can know what to expect whether what they do is popular or unpopular at the time.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The rule of law ensures that individuals understand the consistency of legal expectations, regardless of public opinion.
This quote emphasizes the importance of a steadfast commitment to the rule of law, which fosters a sense of security for individuals in society. By ensuring that laws are applied consistently, it allows people to navigate their actions with the understanding that they will be held to the same legal standards, independent of whether their choices are currently in favor or unpopular.
Themes
LawCommitmentExpectationSecuritySociety
In practice
Example use cases
During a lecture on constitutional law, the professor referenced this quote to illustrate the importance of legal consistency.
More from Sandra Day O'Connor
All quotes βIn order to cultivate a set of leaders with legitimacy in the eyes of the citizenry, it is necessary that the path to leadership be visibly open to talented and qualified individuals of every race and ethnicity.
Sandra Day O'ConnorRead
In my work a good library is essential. It enables me to learn the background and previous discussions of the various issues I am called upon to decide. It provides the stability and continuity for the rule of law.
Sandra Day O'ConnorRead
The really expert riders of horses let the horse know immediately who is in control, but then they guide the horse with loose reins and very seldom use the spurs. So it was with our chief [William Rehnquist]. He guided us with loose reins and used the spurs only rarely to get us up to speed with our work.
Sandra Day O'ConnorRead
It is difficult to discern a serious threat to religious liberty from a room of silent, thoughtful schoolchildren.
Sandra Day O'ConnorRead
It was better for me when I was joined at the court by a second woman. When I was there alone, there was too much media focus on the one woman, and the minute we got another woman, that changed.
Sandra Day O'ConnorRead
Similar quotes
Ignorance of the law excuses no man; not that all men know the law, but because 'tis an excuse every man will plead, and no man can tell how to refute him.
John SeldenRead
I start out with the assumption that a lawyer in a criminal case is going to be incompetent - substantially so. I find my assumption to be rarely wrong. Yet society starts out with the very opposite assumption.
Vincent BugliosiRead
Reaching a conclusion has to start with what the parties are arguing, but examining in all situations carefully the facts as they prove them or not prove them, the record as they create it, and then making a decision that is limited to what the law says on the facts before the judge.
Sonia SotomayorRead
The critical point is that the Constitution places the right of silence beyond the reach of government.
William O. DouglasRead
A person's mere propinquity to others independently suspected of criminal activity does not give rise to probable cause to search that person.
Potter StewartRead
The constitution is either a superior paramount law, unchangeable by ordinary means, or it is on a level with ordinary legislative acts, alterable when the legislature shall please to alter it. It is emphatically the province and duty of the judicial department to say what the law is. This is the very essence of judicial duty.
John MarshallRead