Compelling Quote by Arthur Goldberg
“The basic guarantees of our Constitution are warrants for the here and now, and unless there is an overwhelmingly compelling reason, they are to be promptly fulfilled.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Remarks on Constitutional guarantees, 1975
Constitutional guarantees must be upheld promptly unless an overwhelming reason justifies delay.
In simple terms: Uphold constitutional rights quickly unless a strong reason says otherwise.
Key Takeaway
Ensure timely fulfillment of constitutional rights.
Themes
law
governance
rights
public policy
Mood
analytical
cautious
Type
legal
philosophical
When to use this quote
- judicial review
- legislative drafting
- public administration
- civil rights advocacy
Key Concepts
constitutional law
prompt enforcement
exception criteria
Questions to Reflect On
- When is it appropriate to delay constitutional enforcement?
- What criteria define an “overwhelming” reason?
A Different Perspective
Balancing swift action with thorough deliberation can be challenging.
![“I'd say that [Louis] Brandeis practiced a kind of a "living originalism," to use the title of Jack Balkin's great book. He said you start with the paradigm case, which in the case of the Fourth Amendment was these general warrants or writs of assistance, but you define it at a level of abstraction…” quote by Jeffrey Rosen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/aeb/jeffrey-rosen-13180_abstraction_i-d-say-that-louis-brandeis-practiced-a_73138.jpg)
