Not a law firm in the entire city of New York bid for my employment as a lawyer when I earned my degree.
Ruth Bader GinsburgRead
A constitution, as important as it is, will mean nothing unless the people are yearning for liberty and freedom.
Interpretation
What this quote means
A constitution has little value without the people's desire for liberty.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg emphasizes that a constitution, while vital for governance and rights, is rendered ineffective if the populace does not actively seek and prioritize their own liberty and freedom. This highlights the essential role of public will in upholding democratic values and ensuring that the principles enshrined in laws and constitutions are meaningful and impactful in society.
Themes
ConstitutionLibertyFreedomPublic WillDemocracy
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be used in a discussion about the importance of civic engagement in democracy.
More from Ruth Bader Ginsburg
All quotes βIf you want to influence people, you want them to accept your suggestions, you don't say, 'You don't know how to use the English language,' or 'How could you make that argument?' It will be welcomed much more if you have a gentle touch than if you are aggressive.
Ruth Bader GinsburgRead
I try to teach through my opinions, through my speeches, how wrong it is to judge people on the basis of what they look like, color of their skin, whether they're men or women.
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The worst times were the years I was alone. The image to the public entering the courtroom was eight men, of a certain size, and then this little woman sitting to the side. That was not a good image for the public to see.
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My resume showed membership on both the Harvard and Columbia Law Reviews, a credit impressive abroad where it was not generally known that Law Reviews were student-operated publications.
Ruth Bader GinsburgRead
I certainly respect the belief of the Hobby Lobby owners. On the other hand, they have no constitutional right to foist that belief on the hundreds and hundreds of women who work for them who don't share that belief.
Ruth Bader GinsburgRead
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