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.
Antonin ScaliaRead
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.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Art should be free from government influence and funding to ensure its true value is recognized.
In this quote, Antonin Scalia argues for the importance of independence in the arts by suggesting that government funding can skew perceptions of artistic value. He believes that true appreciation for art can only flourish when the government does not interfere with what is considered worthwhile, allowing artists and the public to make their own judgments without external influence.
Themes
ArtGovernmentFundingIndependenceValue
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about the role of government in culture, you can quote this to highlight the need for artistic freedom.
More from Antonin Scalia
All quotes βTo 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.
Antonin ScaliaRead
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.
Antonin ScaliaRead
Being a good person begins with being a wise person. Then, when you follow your conscience, will you be headed in the right direction.
Antonin ScaliaRead
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.
Antonin ScaliaRead
Burning the flag is a form of expression. Speech doesn't just mean written words or oral words. It could be semaphore. And burning a flag is a symbol that expresses an idea - I hate the government, the government is unjust, whatever.
Antonin ScaliaRead
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