Constitution Quote by Ari Melber
“That's the problem with precedents. Even the extreme ones tend to get repeated.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: MSNBC, 2023
Precedents can become rigid, leading to repeated patterns even when extremes are undesirable.
In simple terms: Precedents repeat, even extremes.
Key Takeaway
Question assumptions before following past examples.
Themes
law
history
critical thinking
Mood
analytical
cautious
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- legal decisions
- policy making
- organizational habits
Key Concepts
precedent bias
institutional inertia
Questions to Reflect On
- When should you follow a precedent?
- What risks arise from blindly repeating past actions?
A Different Perspective
Precedents can also provide useful guidance; they aren't always harmful.
![“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)
