Constitution Quote by Antonin Scalia
“There is nothing new in the realization that the Constitution sometimes insulates the criminality of a few in order to protect the privacy of us all.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Supreme Court Oral Argument, 2005
The Constitution can unintentionally shield a few criminals while protecting the privacy of the many.
In simple terms: Law sometimes protects the guilty to safeguard everyone's privacy.
Key Takeaway
Recognize legal trade‑offs between security and liberty.
Themes
law
privacy
justice
Mood
critical
thought‑provoking
Type
legal
philosophical
When to use this quote
- policy debates
- legal education
- civil rights advocacy
- public discourse
- judicial reform
Key Concepts
constitutional law
civil liberties
Questions to Reflect On
- What are the risks of over‑protecting privacy?
- How can law better address criminal behavior without eroding rights?
A Different Perspective
Balancing privacy with security is complex and contentious.
![“Next came the Patent laws. These began in England in 1624; and, in this country, with the adoption of our constitution. Before then [these?], any man might instantly use what another had invented; so that the inventor had no special advantage from his own invention. The patent system changed this…” quote by Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/449/abraham-lincoln-88_adoption_next-came-the-patent-laws-these-began-in_1828.jpg)
