Against death penalty Quote by Harry A. Blackmun
“From this day forward, I no longer shall tinker with the machinery of death,”
About This Quote
Source Supreme Court Opinion, 1990
The justice vows to cease involvement in death‑penalty matters, reflecting a moral shift.
In simple terms: No more work on death penalty.
Key Takeaway
Respect conscience and withdraw from unethical actions.
Themes
ethics
conscience
legal duty
death penalty
moral responsibility
Mood
serious
reflective
Type
legal opinion
ethical declaration
When to use this quote
- court deliberations
- personal moral crises
- policy debates
Key Concepts
judicial ethics
personal integrity
legal reform
Questions to Reflect On
- What drives a judge to change stance?
- How can one balance duty and conscience?
A Different Perspective
Such a stance may limit influence on reform.
![“The mandated description of fetal characteristics at two-week intervals, no matter how objective, is plainly overinclusive. [It is] not medical information that is always relevant to the woman's decision, and it may serve to confuse and punish her and to heighten her anxiety.” quote by Harry A. Blackmun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/8ae/harry-a-blackmun-19399_anxiety_the-mandated-description-of-fetal-charac_316886.jpg)
