Skip to content

Justice is not to be taken by storm. She is to be wooed by…

“Justice is not to be taken by storm. She is to be wooed by slow advances. Substitute statute for decision, and you shift the center of authority, but add no quota of inspired wisdom.” quote by Benjamin Cardozo
Download Open image
“Justice is not to be taken by storm. She is to be wooed by slow advances. Substitute statute for decision, and you shift the center of authority, but add no quota of inspired wisdom.”

Benjamin Cardozo

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Justice requires patient, incremental effort rather than sudden force; changing legal mechanisms shifts power but not wisdom.

In simple terms: Justice needs slow, steady work, not sudden force.

Key Takeaway

Cultivate patience in legal reform.

Themes

justice patience law authority wisdom

Mood

thoughtful serious

Type

philosophical political

When to use this quote

  • legislative reform
  • court decisions
  • policy advocacy
  • community organizing

Key Concepts

legal theory incremental change institutional authority

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can we balance patience with urgency?
  • What safeguards ensure wisdom guides new statutes?
A Different Perspective

Slow progress may be outpaced by urgent injustices.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by Benjamin Cardozo

Explore all 43 Benjamin Cardozo quotes

More Add quotes

Browse all 2,710 Add quotes