Facts Quote by Anthony Kennedy
“We must never lose sight of the fact that the law has a moral foundation, and we must never fail to ask ourselves not only what the law is, but what the law should be.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Supreme Court Oral Argument, United States v. Lopez, 1995
Law must be guided by moral principles, not just its current form, urging reflection on both its reality and its ideal.
In simple terms: Law should reflect morality, not just rules.
Key Takeaway
Consider law’s moral basis.
Themes
law
morality
justice
Mood
thoughtful
serious
Type
ethical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- court decisions
- legislative drafting
- public policy debates
- civil rights advocacy
Key Concepts
legal philosophy
ethical standards
Questions to Reflect On
- What moral values should shape new laws?
- How do we balance law’s reality with its ideals?
A Different Perspective
Moral ideals may clash with existing statutes, causing conflict.
