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
(W)e do not count heads before enforcing the First Amendment.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The First Amendment's rights should be upheld without discrimination or prior assessment of individuals.
Sandra Day O'Connor emphasizes that the fundamental rights guaranteed by the First Amendment, such as freedom of speech and expression, should be applied universally and without bias. It suggests that the rights of individuals must not be determined by popular opinion or the number of people who support them; rather, they are inherent rights that should be enforced equally for everyone.
Themes
First AmendmentFreedomRightsExpressionPhilosophy
In practice
Example use cases
During a civic engagement event, this quote can be used to highlight the importance of protecting individual rights.
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
The three great elements of modern civilization, Gun powder, Printing, and the Protestant religion.
Thomas CarlyleRead
The three saddest things are the ill wanting to be well, the poor wanting to be rich, and the constant traveler saying 'anywhere but here'.
E. E. CummingsRead
Blessedness is not the reward of virtue but virtue itself.
Baruch SpinozaRead
Science, philosophy and religion are bound to converge as they draw nearer to the whole.
Pierre Teilhard De ChardinRead
The true fountains of evidence [are] the head and heart of every rational and honest man. It is there nature has written her moral laws, and where every man may read them for himself.
Thomas JeffersonRead
One has to reach to the absolute state of awareness: that is Zen. You cannot do it every morning for a few minutes or for half an hour and then forget all about it. It has to become like your heartbeat. You have to sit in it, you have to walk in it. Yes, you have even to sleep in it.
RajneeshRead