--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The Supreme Court should interpret the…" description: "\"The Supreme Court should interpret the law, not make the law.\" — Mike Parson" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/947/mike-parson-6091_constitution_the-supreme-court-should-interpret-the-l_2423297.jpg" --- # The Supreme Court should interpret the law, not make the… ![“The Supreme Court should interpret the law, not make the law.” quote by Mike Parson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/947/mike-parson-6091_constitution_the-supreme-court-should-interpret-the-l_2423297.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/947/mike-parson-6091_constitution_the-supreme-court-should-interpret-the-l_2423297.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/947/mike-parson-6091_constitution_the-supreme-court-should-interpret-the-l_2423297.jpg) > “The Supreme Court should interpret the law, not make the law.” [Mike Parson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-parson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Judicial role is to apply existing statutes, not to create new law through interpretation. **In simple terms:** Courts should enforce, not legislate. Key Takeaway Respect legislative boundaries. Themes law judiciary separation of powers Mood serious analytical Type legal political When to use this quote - court rulings - policy debates - legislative drafting Key Concepts judicial restraint constitutional interpretation Questions to Reflect On - When should courts adapt laws to modern contexts? - How to balance original intent with contemporary values? A Different Perspective Strict restraint may ignore evolving societal needs. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Constitution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/constitution/) [Court](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/court/) [Law](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/law/) [Supreme court](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/supreme-court/) ## Related quotes > [“Judges ought to remember that their office is to interpret law, and not to make law, or give law.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-bacon/judges-ought-to-remember-that-their-office-is-to-interpret-law-and/) [Francis Bacon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-bacon/) > [Presidents Lincoln, Jefferson, Jackson, presidents have understood that the Supreme Court cannot make a law. They cannot make it. The legislature has to make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-huckabee/presidents-lincoln-jefferson-jackson-presidents-have-understood-that/) [Mike Huckabee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-huckabee/) > [Judges should interpret the law, not make it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lamar-s-smith/judges-should-interpret-the-law-not-make-it/) [Lamar S. Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lamar-s-smith/) > [If you're going to make a law, make a law that actually works. It's extraordinarily difficult.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-schmidt/if-you-re-going-to-make-a-law-make-a-law-that-actually-works-it-s/) [Eric Schmidt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-schmidt/) > [As long as we have to administer the law we must do so according to the law as it is. We are not here…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-taylor-coleridge/as-long-as-we-have-to-administer-the-law-we-must-do-so-according-to/) [Samuel Taylor Coleridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-taylor-coleridge/) > [My job is to follow the law, not to make up the law that has been promulgated by the people or the people's representatives.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-t-canady/my-job-is-to-follow-the-law-not-to-make-up-the-law-that-has-been/) [Charles T. Canady](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-t-canady/) > [The law will never make a man free; it is men who have got to make the law free.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/the-law-will-never-make-a-man-free-it-is-men-who-have-got-to-make-the/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [“Because this law could mean so much or so little, it held potential for causing great mischief in the world of art and politics.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-frohnmayer/because-this-law-could-mean-so-much-or-so-little-it-held-potential/) John Frohnmayer > [We need people who will strictly interpret the law and not be promoting an agenda, as is the danger right now with some members…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-laurie/we-need-people-who-will-strictly-interpret-the-law-and-not-be/) [Greg Laurie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-laurie/) > [Our role as judges is to interpret the law.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-hardiman/our-role-as-judges-is-to-interpret-the-law/) [Thomas Hardiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-hardiman/) > [The legislature's job is to write law. It's the executive branch's job to interpret law.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/the-legislature-s-job-is-to-write-law-it-s-the-executive-branch-s-job/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [Ideological warriors whether from the Left or the Right are bad news for the bench. They tend to make law, not interpret law. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/ideological-warriors-whether-from-the-left-or-the-right-are-bad-news/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [My job is to interpret the law based on how the legislature and the court has done it and then, of course, to use…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-scott/my-job-is-to-interpret-the-law-based-on-how-the-legislature-and-the/) [Bill Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-scott/) > [Any successful nominee should possess both the temperament to interpret the law and the wisdom to do so fairly. The next Supreme Court Justice…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bennie-thompson/any-successful-nominee-should-possess-both-the-temperament-to/) [Bennie Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bennie-thompson/) > [Courts should interpret the law but leave elected lawmakers to create it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dominic-raab/courts-should-interpret-the-law-but-leave-elected-lawmakers-to-create/) [Dominic Raab](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dominic-raab/) ## More by Mike Parson > [Missouri has a rich history and diverse heritage that deserves a proper celebration.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-parson/missouri-has-a-rich-history-and-diverse-heritage-that-deserves-a/) [Mike Parson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-parson/) > [We must support our law enforcement officers, and we must start prioritizing the prevention of violent crime.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-parson/we-must-support-our-law-enforcement-officers-and-we-must-start/) [Mike Parson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-parson/) > [I want to encourage all Missourians to make wise decisions, love your neighbors and support each other in every way you can.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-parson/i-want-to-encourage-all-missourians-to-make-wise-decisions-love-your/) [Mike Parson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-parson/) > [With more money to spend, workers can take their families to local restaurants, buy cars at local auto dealers and shop at local stores.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-parson/with-more-money-to-spend-workers-can-take-their-families-to-local/) [Mike Parson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-parson/) > [We are grateful for the tireless and selfless efforts of our health care providers and first responders who risk their own safety to protect…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-parson/we-are-grateful-for-the-tireless-and-selfless-efforts-of-our-health/) [Mike Parson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-parson/) > [My years in law enforcement taught me that those who wear the badge are often called to the profession because of their desire to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-parson/my-years-in-law-enforcement-taught-me-that-those-who-wear-the-badge/) [Mike Parson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-parson/) > [The citizens of Missouri expect their government to perform well for them every day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-parson/the-citizens-of-missouri-expect-their-government-to-perform-well-for/) [Mike Parson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-parson/) > [Our schools play an important role in preparing our students to enter the workforce.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-parson/our-schools-play-an-important-role-in-preparing-our-students-to-enter/) [Mike Parson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-parson/) > [Any shortage of drinking water is a serious issue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-parson/any-shortage-of-drinking-water-is-a-serious-issue/) [Mike Parson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-parson/) > [Having today's technology available to our students is crucial in preparing our future workforce.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-parson/having-today-s-technology-available-to-our-students-is-crucial-in/) [Mike Parson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-parson/) > [The American dream will never be lost.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-parson/the-american-dream-will-never-be-lost/) [Mike Parson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-parson/) > [We must see to it that the workforce of tomorrow starts off on the right foot, and that means better support for Missouri children…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-parson/we-must-see-to-it-that-the-workforce-of-tomorrow-starts-off-on-the/) [Mike Parson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-parson/) > [We need to continue to make the Missouri tax code simple and fair.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-parson/we-need-to-continue-to-make-the-missouri-tax-code-simple-and-fair/) [Mike Parson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-parson/) > [Our roads, bridges, airports, railways, and river ports are our outlets to expand Missouri business, generate future growth, and expand to new emerging markets…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-parson/our-roads-bridges-airports-railways-and-river-ports-are-our-outlets/) [Mike Parson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-parson/) > [It is important that we continue to follow through on key investments in workforce development and infrastructure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-parson/it-is-important-that-we-continue-to-follow-through-on-key-investments/) [Mike Parson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-parson/) [Explore all 100 Mike Parson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-parson/) ## More Constitution quotes > [ Next came the Patent laws. These began in England in 1624; and, in this country, with the adoption of our constitution. Before then \[these?\],… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/next-came-the-patent-laws-these-began-in-england-in-1624-and-in-this/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [“In American terms, the accomplishment of Genghis Khan might be understood if the United States, instead of being created by a group of educated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-weatherford/in-american-terms-the-accomplishment-of-genghis-khan-might-be/) [Jack Weatherford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-weatherford/) > [In this choice of inheritance we have given to our frame of polity the image of a relation in blood; binding up the constitution…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-burke/in-this-choice-of-inheritance-we-have-given-to-our-frame-of-polity/) [Edmund Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-burke/) > [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/) > [While not widely reported, our victories in Iraq are plentiful. National elections, a democratic parliament and the drafting of a constitution are just some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-gillmor/while-not-widely-reported-our-victories-in-iraq-are-plentiful/) [Paul Gillmor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-gillmor/) > [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/) > [The judiciary must not take on the coloration of whatever may be popular at the moment. We are guardian of rights, and we have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rose-bird/the-judiciary-must-not-take-on-the-coloration-of-whatever-may-be/) [Rose Bird](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rose-bird/) > [There is not a revolution that succe Women are suffering because they are being excluded. The high military council excluded women from the committee…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nawal-el-saadawi/there-is-not-a-revolution-that-succe-women-are-suffering-because-they/) [Nawal El Saadawi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nawal-el-saadawi/) > [Free government is founded in jealousy, and not in confidence; it is jealousy, and not confidence, which prescribes limited constitutions, to bind down those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/free-government-is-founded-in-jealousy-and-not-in-confidence-it-is/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [The American Constitution declares 'All men are born equal.' The British Socialist Party add: 'All men must be kept equal'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/the-american-constitution-declares-all-men-are-born-equal-the-british/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [“The Court has a special responsibility to ensure that the Constitution works in practice. While education, including the transmission of our civic values from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-breyer/the-court-has-a-special-responsibility-to-ensure-that-the/) [Stephen Breyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-breyer/) > [The Constitution is very clear on the - on the declaration of war or reacting to international crimes - crimes against nations. It is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-pitts/the-constitution-is-very-clear-on-the-on-the-declaration-of-war-or/) Joe Pitts > [Nothing from man's hands, nor law, nor constitution, can be final. 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