Constitution Quote by Brett Kavanaugh
“A judge must interpret statutes as written. And a judge must interpret the Constitution as written, informed by history and tradition and precedent.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Judicial conference, 2020
Judges should apply statutes and the Constitution based on their text, historical context, and precedent.
In simple terms: Follow written law and history.
Key Takeaway
Uphold original intent.
Themes
law
constitution
judiciary
interpretation
Mood
serious
analytical
Type
legal
political
When to use this quote
- court rulings
- legal education
- policy analysis
Key Concepts
originalism
precedent
historical context
Questions to Reflect On
- Should historical context limit contemporary application?
- How to balance originalism with evolving norms?
A Different Perspective
Rigid reading may ignore modern realities.
![“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)
