--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I think justices of all stripes agree…" description: "\"I think justices of all stripes agree that stare decisis is important, but not an inextricable command. It's not inflexible; it's not absolute.\" — Bret..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/84f/brett-kavanaugh-10264_agree_i-think-justices-of-all-stripes-agree-th_385988.jpg" --- # I think justices of all stripes agree that stare decisis… ![“I think justices of all stripes agree that stare decisis is important, but not an inextricable command. It's not inflexible; it's not absolute.” quote by Brett Kavanaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/84f/brett-kavanaugh-10264_agree_i-think-justices-of-all-stripes-agree-th_385988.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/84f/brett-kavanaugh-10264_agree_i-think-justices-of-all-stripes-agree-th_385988.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/84f/brett-kavanaugh-10264_agree_i-think-justices-of-all-stripes-agree-th_385988.jpg) > “I think justices of all stripes agree that stare decisis is important, but not an inextricable command. It's not inflexible; it's not absolute.” [Brett Kavanaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brett-kavanaugh/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Stare decisis guides courts but isn’t an unbreakable rule; flexibility exists. **In simple terms:** Legal precedent is important but not absolute. Key Takeaway Apply precedent wisely, but allow for necessary change. Themes law precedent flexibility judicial reasoning Mood thoughtful balanced Type legal philosophical When to use this quote - court decisions - legislative changes - policy debates Key Concepts legal theory constitutional interpretation Questions to Reflect On - When should courts deviate from precedent? - How to balance stability with progress? A Different Perspective Rigid adherence can hinder justice in evolving societies. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Constitution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/constitution/) [Justice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/justice/) ## Related quotes > [I think that the justices were totally answering the way that they should. I think that the senators, as best I could tell, for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-thompson/i-think-that-the-justices-were-totally-answering-the-way-that-they/) [Fred Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-thompson/) > [I don't think we should have justices appointed that decide what they want to hear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/i-don-t-think-we-should-have-justices-appointed-that-decide-what-they-2/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [I think people are great in many different ways. So, I think some justices are great because they have extraordinary wisdom, they have an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elena-kagan/i-think-people-are-great-in-many-different-ways-so-i-think-some/) [Elena Kagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elena-kagan/) > [I don't think we should have justices appointed that decide what they want to hear. It's all about the Constitution the way it was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/i-don-t-think-we-should-have-justices-appointed-that-decide-what-they/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [The principal purpose of stare decisis is to protect reliance interest and further stability in the law.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonin-scalia/the-principal-purpose-of-stare-decisis-is-to-protect-reliance/) [Antonin Scalia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonin-scalia/) > [Stare decisis, which is the principle that the Supreme Court uses at the outset - the sort of background rule of judicial maintenance or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ketanji-brown-jackson/stare-decisis-which-is-the-principle-that-the-supreme-court-uses-at/) [Ketanji Brown Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ketanji-brown-jackson/) > [We recognize that stare decisis embodies an important social policy that represents an element of continuity in law and is rooted in the psychological…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felix-frankfurter/we-recognize-that-stare-decisis-embodies-an-important-social-policy/) [Felix Frankfurter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felix-frankfurter/) > [I think the nine justices think the solicitor general is the 35th clerk.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elena-kagan/i-think-the-nine-justices-think-the-solicitor-general-is-the-35th/) [Elena Kagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elena-kagan/) > [We give Supreme Court justices this freedom because we expect them to remain above the pull of politics, to avoid the effects of public…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herb-kohl/we-give-supreme-court-justices-this-freedom-because-we-expect-them-to/) [Herb Kohl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herb-kohl/) > [As president, I will only nominate judges - including Supreme Court justices - who will commit to upholding Roe v. Wade as settled law…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kirsten-gillibrand/as-president-i-will-only-nominate-judges-including-supreme-court/) [Kirsten Gillibrand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kirsten-gillibrand/) > [You know, it shows how old I am. I can remember the good old days when the president picked the Supreme Court justices instead…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-leno/you-know-it-shows-how-old-i-am-i-can-remember-the-good-old-days-when/) [Jay Leno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-leno/) > [If we put another two or perhaps three justice on, that's really what's going to be ­­ that will happen. And that'll happen automatically,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/if-we-put-another-two-or-perhaps-three-justice-on-that-s-really-what/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [Hillary Clinton will nominate justices to the Supreme Court who are prepared to overturn Citizens United and end the movement toward oligarchy that we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-sanders/hillary-clinton-will-nominate-justices-to-the-supreme-court-who-are/) [Bernie Sanders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-sanders/) > [“The lawyers ceded their right to argue to case before the justices. A verdict would be rendered in secret, behind closed doors, with only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adrienne-berard/the-lawyers-ceded-their-right-to-argue-to-case-before-the-justices-a/) [Adrienne Berard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adrienne-berard/) > [In a recent decision of the Supreme Court, not made, however, by the full court, and concurred in by only four justices, it was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bates-clark/in-a-recent-decision-of-the-supreme-court-not-made-however-by-the/) [John Bates Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bates-clark/) ## More by Brett Kavanaugh > [My law clerks come from diverse backgrounds and points of view.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brett-kavanaugh/my-law-clerks-come-from-diverse-backgrounds-and-points-of-view/) [Brett Kavanaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brett-kavanaugh/) > [Congress should clarify that a sitting president is not subject to criminal indictment while in office.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brett-kavanaugh/congress-should-clarify-that-a-sitting-president-is-not-subject-to/) [Brett Kavanaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brett-kavanaugh/) > [I am proud that a majority of my law clerks have been women.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brett-kavanaugh/i-am-proud-that-a-majority-of-my-law-clerks-have-been-women/) [Brett Kavanaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brett-kavanaugh/) > [As a judge, I hire four law clerks each year. I look for the best.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brett-kavanaugh/as-a-judge-i-hire-four-law-clerks-each-year-i-look-for-the-best/) [Brett Kavanaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brett-kavanaugh/) > [If the president does something dastardly, the impeachment process is available.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brett-kavanaugh/if-the-president-does-something-dastardly-the-impeachment-process-is/) [Brett Kavanaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brett-kavanaugh/) > [If confirmed to the D.C. Circuit, I would follow Roe v. Wade faithfully and fully. That would be binding precedent of the court. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brett-kavanaugh/if-confirmed-to-the-d-c-circuit-i-would-follow-roe-v-wade-faithfully/) [Brett Kavanaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brett-kavanaugh/) > [I'm a good person. I've led a good life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brett-kavanaugh/i-m-a-good-person-i-ve-led-a-good-life/) [Brett Kavanaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brett-kavanaugh/) > [In my view, it is unreasonable for EPA to exclude considerations of costs in determining whether it is 'appropriate' to impose significant new regulations…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brett-kavanaugh/in-my-view-it-is-unreasonable-for-epa-to-exclude-considerations-of/) [Brett Kavanaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brett-kavanaugh/) > [I believe that an independent judiciary is the crown jewel of our constitutional republic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brett-kavanaugh/i-believe-that-an-independent-judiciary-is-the-crown-jewel-of-our/) [Brett Kavanaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brett-kavanaugh/) > [The Senate should consider a rule ensuring that every judicial nominee receives a vote by the Senate within 180 days of being nominated by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brett-kavanaugh/the-senate-should-consider-a-rule-ensuring-that-every-judicial/) [Brett Kavanaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brett-kavanaugh/) > [The Supreme Court is the last line of defense for the separation of powers and for the rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brett-kavanaugh/the-supreme-court-is-the-last-line-of-defense-for-the-separation-of/) [Brett Kavanaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brett-kavanaugh/) > [I like beer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brett-kavanaugh/i-like-beer/) [Brett Kavanaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brett-kavanaugh/) > [I believe that the president should be excused from some of the burdens of ordinary citizenship while serving in office. This is not something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brett-kavanaugh/i-believe-that-the-president-should-be-excused-from-some-of-the/) [Brett Kavanaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brett-kavanaugh/) > [There is no meaningful or persuasive constitutional distinction between semiautomatic handguns and semiautomatic rifles.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brett-kavanaugh/there-is-no-meaningful-or-persuasive-constitutional-distinction/) [Brett Kavanaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brett-kavanaugh/) > [The task of dealing with global warming is urgent and important.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brett-kavanaugh/the-task-of-dealing-with-global-warming-is-urgent-and-important/) [Brett Kavanaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brett-kavanaugh/) [Explore all 67 Brett Kavanaugh quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brett-kavanaugh/) ## More Agree quotes > [Any comprehensive doctrine, religious or secular, can be introduced into any political argument at any time, but I argue that people who do this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-rawls/any-comprehensive-doctrine-religious-or-secular-can-be-introduced/) [John Rawls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-rawls/) > [Islam never differentiates between men and women as regards political rights and puts them on an equal footing. However, even if a woman is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yusuf-al-qaradawi/islam-never-differentiates-between-men-and-women-as-regards-political/) [Yusuf al-Qaradawi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yusuf-al-qaradawi/) > [“All these creatures spend their time explaining, realizing happily that they agree with each other.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-paul-sartre/all-these-creatures-spend-their-time-explaining-realizing-happily/) [Jean-Paul Sartre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-paul-sartre/) > [I talk to fashion designers and say I want some money to save the rainforest, and they say, 'Oh, I agree with you completely…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vivienne-westwood/i-talk-to-fashion-designers-and-say-i-want-some-money-to-save-the/) [Vivienne Westwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vivienne-westwood/) > [As for doing good; that is one of the professions which is full. Moreover I have tried it fairly and, strange as it may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/as-for-doing-good-that-is-one-of-the-professions-which-is-full/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [Climate change poses clear, catastrophic threats. We may not agree on the extent, but we certainly can't afford the risk of inaction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rupert-murdoch/climate-change-poses-clear-catastrophic-threats-we-may-not-agree-on/) [Rupert Murdoch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rupert-murdoch/) > [Never be afraid of doing the thing you know in your heart is right, even if others don't agree.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-berg/never-be-afraid-of-doing-the-thing-you-know-in-your-heart-is-right/) [Elizabeth Berg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-berg/) > [It's fine to talk about politics with people you agree with. But it is rude to argue about politics with people you disagree with.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-lessig/it-s-fine-to-talk-about-politics-with-people-you-agree-with-but-it-is/) [Lawrence Lessig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-lessig/) > [ I will not agree to have this bill \[to repeal DADT \] go forward, because our economy is in the tank. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mccain/i-will-not-agree-to-have-this-bill-to-repeal-dadt-go-forward-because/) [John McCain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mccain/) > [“I tend to agree with that little devil more and more these days.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elle-casey/i-tend-to-agree-with-that-little-devil-more-and-more-these-days/) [Elle Casey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elle-casey/) > [People might not agree with me, but I think a woman should have a feminine shape, something you can get your hands on. You,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-ruiz-zafon/people-might-not-agree-with-me-but-i-think-a-woman-should-have-a/) [Carlos Ruiz Zafon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-ruiz-zafon/) > [On 9-11, we discovered that we cannot escape from the world. To me personally, this was a life-changing experience, and I realized, as did…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/on-9-11-we-discovered-that-we-cannot-escape-from-the-world-to-me/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [But I would say if the Security Council is only relevant if it agrees with the United States, then we have come a long…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hans-blix/but-i-would-say-if-the-security-council-is-only-relevant-if-it-agrees/) [Hans Blix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hans-blix/) > [We're never all going to agree with each other. We have to learn to value the diversity. 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