Aspect Quote by Ruth Bader Ginsburg
“One aspect of appellate judging is we have to give reasons for all of our decisions. And when you sit down and try to write it out, sometimes you find that your first judgment wasn't the right one.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Remarks on Judicial Reasoning, 1995
Judges must explain every decision, and drafting can reveal earlier errors, prompting revision.
In simple terms: Judges need to justify rulings; writing can expose mistakes.
Write decisions to uncover and correct errors.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- court opinions
- law school teaching
- appeal briefs
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How does drafting influence judicial honesty?
- What mechanisms ensure accurate reasoning?
Writing may be constrained by time, limiting thorough self‑review.