Certain Quote by Robert Falcon Scott
“It is better that the law should be certain than that every judge should speculate upon improvements in it.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Public address on legal reform, early 20th century
Legal certainty is preferable to judges making speculative changes to law.
In simple terms: Clear law beats uncertain judicial speculation.
Key Takeaway
Favor stable statutes over unpredictable rulings.
Themes
law
certainty
judicial restraint
policy
governance
Mood
thoughtful
serious
Type
advice
philosophical
When to use this quote
- legislative drafting
- court decisions
- policy debates
- constitutional reform
Key Concepts
legal theory
rule of law
judicial activism
Questions to Reflect On
- How does legal certainty impact justice?
- When should judges interpret versus create law?
A Different Perspective
Judges may need flexibility to adapt law to new realities.
![“[W]here there is no law, there is no liberty; and nothing deserves the name of law but that which is certain and universal in its operation upon all the members of the community.” quote by Benjamin Rush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b9e/benjamin-rush-9439_certain_w-here-there-is-no-law-there-is-no-liber_240226.jpg)
