--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Ever so subtly, without even alluding to…" description: "\"Ever so subtly, without even alluding to the last obstacles preserved by earlier opinions that we now push out of our path, we effectively replace the ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/882/antonin-scalia-2855_discrimination_ever-so-subtly-without-even-alluding-to_3136464.jpg" --- # Ever so subtly, without even alluding to the last… ![“Ever so subtly, without even alluding to the last obstacles preserved by earlier opinions that we now push out of our path, we effectively replace the goal of a discrimination-free society with the quite imcompatible goal of proportionate representation by race and by sex in the workplace.” quote by Antonin Scalia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/882/antonin-scalia-2855_discrimination_ever-so-subtly-without-even-alluding-to_3136464.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/882/antonin-scalia-2855_discrimination_ever-so-subtly-without-even-alluding-to_3136464.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/882/antonin-scalia-2855_discrimination_ever-so-subtly-without-even-alluding-to_3136464.jpg) > “Ever so subtly, without even alluding to the last obstacles preserved by earlier opinions that we now push out of our path, we effectively replace the goal of a discrimination-free society with the quite imcompatible goal of proportionate representation by race and by sex in the workplace.” [Antonin Scalia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonin-scalia/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The argument claims that striving for a discrimination‑free workplace leads to race‑ and gender‑based quotas, which conflict with true equality. **In simple terms:** Equality goals can become contradictory quotas. Key Takeaway Prioritize meritocracy. Themes equality affirmative action law workplace policy Mood critical analytical Type legal political When to use this quote - human resources - legislative debate - corporate hiring Key Concepts constitutional law social justice quota systems Questions to Reflect On - Is proportional representation truly equal? - How can we balance fairness with diversity? A Different Perspective Quotas may address historic inequities but can create new forms of bias. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Discrimination](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discrimination/) [Free society](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/free-society/) [Goal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goal/) [Goals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goals/) [Obstacles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/obstacles/) [Opinion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opinion/) [Path](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/path/) [Race](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/race/) [Racism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/racism/) [Representation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/representation/) [Sex](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sex/) [Subtly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/subtly/) [Workplace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/workplace/) ## Related quotes > [“The fact is, we in this society are often quite removed from our own emotional reality.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabor-mat/the-fact-is-we-in-this-society-are-often-quite-removed-from-our-own/) [Gabor Maté](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabor-mat/) > [I have been a member of the Microsoft-bashing society for quite some time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-ritholtz/i-have-been-a-member-of-the-microsoft-bashing-society-for-quite-some/) [Barry Ritholtz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-ritholtz/) > [If one could only teach the English how to talk, and the Irish how to listen, society here would be quite civilized.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/if-one-could-only-teach-the-english-how-to-talk-and-the-irish-how-to/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [The true gentleman is subtly poised between an inner tact and an outer defense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/puzant-kevork-thomajan/the-true-gentleman-is-subtly-poised-between-an-inner-tact-and-an/) Puzant Kevork Thomajan > [I'll cry anywhere because I can do it quite subtly. Walking, that's a good time to have a cry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-horgan/i-ll-cry-anywhere-because-i-can-do-it-quite-subtly-walking-that-s-a/) [Sharon Horgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-horgan/) > [“The tongue is the soft weapon that kills subtly.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jaime-tenorio-valenzuela/the-tongue-is-the-soft-weapon-that-kills-subtly/) Jaime Tenorio Valenzuela > [When a writer knows home in his heart, his heart must remain subtly apart from it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willie-morris/when-a-writer-knows-home-in-his-heart-his-heart-must-remain-subtly/) [Willie Morris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willie-morris/) > [The finest works of art are precious, among other reasons, because they make it possible for us to know, if only imperfectly and for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/the-finest-works-of-art-are-precious-among-other-reasons-because-they/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [For a while, after the Second World War, when there was strong support for labor, this was done subtly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/for-a-while-after-the-second-world-war-when-there-was-strong-support/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [“Men and women wanted to inspect her, to be close to her, to try to find what caused the disturbance she distributed so subtly.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/men-and-women-wanted-to-inspect-her-to-be-close-to-her-to-try-to-find/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [There is a danger, if you cast someone who is 18, 19 or 20 to play 14 or 15, that very subtly, almost unconsciously,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-schwimmer/there-is-a-danger-if-you-cast-someone-who-is-18-19-or-20-to-play-14/) [David Schwimmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-schwimmer/) > [No doubt other writers have often put a thing more brilliantly, more subtly than even a very cunning artist in words can hope to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ethel-smyth/no-doubt-other-writers-have-often-put-a-thing-more-brilliantly-more/) [Ethel Smyth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ethel-smyth/) > [The more intelligent and cultured a man is, the more subtly he can humbug himself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-jung/the-more-intelligent-and-cultured-a-man-is-the-more-subtly-he-can/) [Carl Jung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-jung/) > [“To have 'order', an atmosphere of 'positivity' must be subtly inserted. When you are mass of maneuver, mediocrity never gives up anything voluntarily without some sort…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-neil-fleischer/to-have-order-an-atmosphere-of-positivity-must-be-subtly-inserted/) [Robert Neil Fleischer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-neil-fleischer/) > [The songs themselves do broaden out as time passes and take on subtly different meanings, take on more meaning, I find.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/the-songs-themselves-do-broaden-out-as-time-passes-and-take-on-subtly/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) ## More 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?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonin-scalia/what-is-a-moderate-interpretation-of-the-text-halfway-between-what-it/) [Antonin Scalia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonin-scalia/if-you-think-aficionados-of-a-living-constitution-want-to-bring-you/) [Antonin Scalia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonin-scalia/more-importantly-the-court-forgets-that-ours-is-a-government-of-laws/) [Antonin Scalia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonin-scalia/wringing-your-hands-about-states-rights-forget-it-they-re-gone/) [Antonin Scalia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonin-scalia/) > [If you condemn someone who has committed a crime to be tortured, that would be unconstitutional.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonin-scalia/if-you-condemn-someone-who-has-committed-a-crime-to-be-tortured-that/) [Antonin Scalia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonin-scalia/burning-the-flag-is-a-form-of-expression-speech-doesn-t-just-mean/) [Antonin Scalia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonin-scalia/being-a-good-person-begins-with-being-a-wise-person-then-when-you/) [Antonin Scalia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonin-scalia/the-court-s-job-is-to-uphold-the-constitution-and-you-don-t-call-that/) [Antonin Scalia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonin-scalia/) > [We have laws against torture. The Constitution says nothing whatever about torture. It speaks of punishment; 'cruel and unusual' punishments are forbidden.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonin-scalia/we-have-laws-against-torture-the-constitution-says-nothing-whatever/) [Antonin Scalia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonin-scalia/if-i-have-brought-any-message-today-it-is-this-have-the-courage-to/) [Antonin Scalia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonin-scalia/many-think-it-not-only-inevitable-but-entirely-proper-that-liberty/) [Antonin Scalia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonin-scalia/that-s-the-argument-of-flexibility-and-it-goes-something-like-this/) [Antonin Scalia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonin-scalia/) > [Why in the world would you have it interpreted by nine lawyers?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonin-scalia/why-in-the-world-would-you-have-it-interpreted-by-nine-lawyers/) [Antonin Scalia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonin-scalia/) > [ Who ever thought that intimacy and spirituality \[whatever that means\] were freedoms? And if intimacy is, one would think Freedom of Intimacy is abridged… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonin-scalia/who-ever-thought-that-intimacy-and-spirituality-whatever-that-means/) [Antonin Scalia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonin-scalia/) > [I'm nervous about our civic culture. I'm not sure the Internet is largely the cause of it. It's certainly the cause of careless writing.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonin-scalia/i-m-nervous-about-our-civic-culture-i-m-not-sure-the-internet-is/) [Antonin Scalia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonin-scalia/) [Explore all 146 Antonin Scalia quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonin-scalia/) ## More Discrimination quotes > [There could be no more powerful argument against mixing religion and government than the success of independent African American churches in placing racial segregation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-jacoby/there-could-be-no-more-powerful-argument-against-mixing-religion-and/) [Susan Jacoby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-jacoby/) > [Jesus never said a word about homosexuality. In all of his teachings about multiple things - he never said that gay people should be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-carter/jesus-never-said-a-word-about-homosexuality-in-all-of-his-teachings/) [Jimmy Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carter/) > [In a general way, the literature of the twentieth century is essentially psychological; and psychology consists of describing states of the soul by displaying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simone-weil/in-a-general-way-the-literature-of-the-twentieth-century-is/) [Simone Weil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simone-weil/) > [“Mental illness is not something you misunderstand in this era. Get educated because bias is no different than racism.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-l-alder/mental-illness-is-not-something-you-misunderstand-in-this-era-get/) [Shannon L. Alder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-l-alder/) > [I believe that those who promote discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or any other grounds are gravely mistaken about the values that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-clinton/i-believe-that-those-who-promote-discrimination-on-the-basis-of/) [Bill Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-clinton/) > [Each Act of Parliament intended to address harassment and discrimination has faced objections on the basis of 'you'll never be able to prove...' and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-field/each-act-of-parliament-intended-to-address-harassment-and/) [Tim Field](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-field/) > [Nothing better protects a human being against the stupidity of prejudice, racism, religious or political sectarianism, and exclusivist nationalism than this truth that invariably…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-vargas-llosa/nothing-better-protects-a-human-being-against-the-stupidity-of/) [Mario Vargas Llosa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-vargas-llosa/) > [It is obvious that discrimination exists. Women do not have the opportunities that men do. And women that do not conform to the system,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shirley-chisholm/it-is-obvious-that-discrimination-exists-women-do-not-have-the/) [Shirley Chisholm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shirley-chisholm/) > [The fact is that in too many parts of our country, we still have discrimination. And affirmative action is not just something that applies…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kerry/the-fact-is-that-in-too-many-parts-of-our-country-we-still-have/) [John F. Kerry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kerry/) > [Judging someone by the color of their skin is ignorant. Their skin complexion has nothing to do with their morals, beliefs or intelligence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/judging-someone-by-the-color-of-their-skin-is-ignorant-their-skin/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [We try to take a very strong stance against discrimination and hatred.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathan-blecharczyk/we-try-to-take-a-very-strong-stance-against-discrimination-and-hatred/) [Nathan Blecharczyk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathan-blecharczyk/) > [I resolutely believe that respect for diversity is a fundamental pillar in the eradication of racism, xenophobia and intolerance. There is no excuse for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rigoberta-menchu/i-resolutely-believe-that-respect-for-diversity-is-a-fundamental/) [Rigoberta Menchu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rigoberta-menchu/) > [End discrimination and hate everyone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/candy/end-discrimination-and-hate-everyone/) [Candy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/candy/) > [This bill would allow an employee to bring a claim against an employer decades after the alleged initial act of discrimination occurred. Trial lawyers,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/buck-mckeon/this-bill-would-allow-an-employee-to-bring-a-claim-against-an/) Buck McKeon > [Legal discrimination between the sexes is, in almost every instance, founded on outmoded views of society and the pre-scientific beliefs about psychology and physiology.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shirley-chisholm/legal-discrimination-between-the-sexes-is-in-almost-every-instance/) [Shirley Chisholm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shirley-chisholm/) [Browse all 1,366 Discrimination quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discrimination/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Ever so subtly, without even alluding to the last obstacles preserved by earlier opinions that we now push out of our path, we effectively replace the goal of a discrimination-free society with the quite imcompatible goal of proportionate representation by race and by sex in the workplace.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Antonin Scalia" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonin-scalia/ever-so-subtly-without-even-alluding-to-the-last-obstacles-preserved/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Discrimination" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonin-scalia/ever-so-subtly-without-even-alluding-to-the-last-obstacles-preserved/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/882/antonin-scalia-2855_discrimination_ever-so-subtly-without-even-alluding-to_3136464.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/882/antonin-scalia-2855_discrimination_ever-so-subtly-without-even-alluding-to_3136464.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/882/antonin-scalia-2855_discrimination_ever-so-subtly-without-even-alluding-to_3136464.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Ever so subtly, without even alluding to the last obstacles preserved by earlier opinions that we now push…” — Antonin Scalia", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Antonin Scalia", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonin-scalia/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Ever so subtly, without even alluding...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonin-scalia/ever-so-subtly-without-even-alluding-to-the-last-obstacles-preserved/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonin-scalia/ever-so-subtly-without-even-alluding-to-the-last-obstacles-preserved/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```