Authority Quote by Robert H. Jackson
“We are not final because we are infallible, but infallible only because we are final.”
About This Quote
Source Court Opinion: United States v. Nixon, 1974
Our finality stems from our fallibility, not from being infallible.
In simple terms: Final decisions arise because we can err.
Key Takeaway
Accept fallibility in final judgments.
Themes
law
philosophy
human error
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
legal
philosophical
When to use this quote
- court rulings
- policy making
- ethical debates
Key Concepts
finality
infallibility
judgment
Questions to Reflect On
- Why is acknowledging fallibility important?
- How does it affect authority?
A Different Perspective
May be misinterpreted as endorsing error.
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