Acumen Quote by Antonin Scalia

What is a moderate interpretation of the text? Halfway between what it really means and what you'd like it to mean?

— Antonin Scalia

If you think aficionados of a living Constitution want to bring you flexibility, think again. You think the death penalty is a good idea?…

— Antonin Scalia

More importantly, the Court forgets that ours is a government of laws and not of men. That means we are governed by the terms…

— Antonin Scalia

Wringing your hands about states' rights, forget it. They're gone. Basically, the federal government can do whatever it wants. Who's going to protect the…

— Antonin Scalia

If you condemn someone who has committed a crime to be tortured, that would be unconstitutional.

— Antonin Scalia

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…

— Antonin Scalia

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 Scalia

The court's job is to uphold the Constitution and you don't call that off in times of crisis. Would the framers have allowed this…

— Antonin Scalia

We have laws against torture. The Constitution says nothing whatever about torture. It speaks of punishment; 'cruel and unusual' punishments are forbidden.

— Antonin Scalia

If I have brought any message today, it is this: Have the courage to have your wisdom regarded as stupidity. Be fools for Christ.…

— Antonin Scalia

Many think it not only inevitable but entirely proper that liberty give way to security in times of national crisis--that, at the extremes of…

— Antonin Scalia

That's the argument of flexibility and it goes something like this: The Constitution is over 200 years old and societies change. It has to…

— Antonin Scalia