Constitution Quote by Benjamin Wittes
“Stability in law - particularly constitutional law - is critically important; the Supreme Court would do well to remember that.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Remarks on Constitutional Stability, 2020
Stable constitutional law ensures predictability and protects rights; the Court must guard against erosion.
In simple terms: Stable law protects rights.
Key Takeaway
Uphold consistency in rulings.
Themes
law
stability
rights
judiciary
Mood
serious
reflective
Type
analytical
prescriptive
When to use this quote
- legislative drafting
- court decisions
- public policy
- citizen trust
Key Concepts
constitutionalism
rule of law
judicial restraint
Questions to Reflect On
- How can courts balance flexibility and stability?
- What risks arise if stability is ignored?
A Different Perspective
Legal change can be slow despite stability.
![“To maintain the ascendancy of the Constitution over the lawmaking majority is the great and essential point on which the success of the [American] system must depend; unless that ascendancy can be preserved, the necessary consequence must be that the laws will supersede the Constitution; and…” quote by John C. Calhoun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c6c/john-c-calhoun-4136_america_to-maintain-the-ascendancy-of-the-consti_2244211.jpg)
![“[The current governing judicial philosophy is:] If you want something passionately enough, it is guaranteed by the Constitution. No need to fiddle around gathering votes from recalcitrant citizens.” quote by Robert Bork](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/56e/robert-bork-16437_citizens_the-current-governing-judicial-philosoph_129141.jpg)
![“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)
