--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A judge can't have any preferred outcome…" description: "\"A judge can't have any preferred outcome in any particular case. The judge's only obligation - and it's a solemn obligation - is to the rule of law.\" —..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/84f/samuel-alito-11708_cases_a-judge-can-t-have-any-preferred-outcome_3120402.jpg" --- # A judge can't have any preferred outcome in any particular… ![“A judge can't have any preferred outcome in any particular case. The judge's only obligation - and it's a solemn obligation - is to the rule of law.” quote by Samuel Alito](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/84f/samuel-alito-11708_cases_a-judge-can-t-have-any-preferred-outcome_3120402.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/84f/samuel-alito-11708_cases_a-judge-can-t-have-any-preferred-outcome_3120402.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/84f/samuel-alito-11708_cases_a-judge-can-t-have-any-preferred-outcome_3120402.jpg) > “A judge can't have any preferred outcome in any particular case. The judge's only obligation - and it's a solemn obligation - is to the rule of law.” [Samuel Alito](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-alito/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A judge must remain impartial, letting the law guide decisions rather than personal preferences. **In simple terms:** Judges must follow the law, not personal bias. Key Takeaway Uphold impartiality in every case. Themes justice impartiality rule of law Mood serious formal Type ethical professional When to use this quote - courtroom rulings - law school teaching - policy drafting Key Concepts legal ethics judicial duty Questions to Reflect On - How can judges guard against unconscious bias? - What mechanisms ensure legal impartiality? A Different Perspective Human bias can subtly affect interpretation of law. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Constitution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/constitution/) [Law](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/law/) [Obligation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/obligation/) [Rule of law](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rule-of-law/) [Solemn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/solemn/) ## Related quotes > [One of the most solemn responsibilities of the president--and it's set out expressly in the Constitution--is that the president is to take care that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-alito/one-of-the-most-solemn-responsibilities-of-the-president-and-it-s-set/) [Samuel Alito](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-alito/) > [An excess of law inescapably weakens the rule of law.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurence-tribe/an-excess-of-law-inescapably-weakens-the-rule-of-law/) [Laurence Tribe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurence-tribe/) > [The rule of law that China's dissidents ask for is important to U.S. businesses investing in China as well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-malinowski/the-rule-of-law-that-china-s-dissidents-ask-for-is-important-to-u-s/) [Tom Malinowski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-malinowski/) > [Lack of rule of law is the main reason Pakistan could not join the ranks of progressive nations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/imran-khan/lack-of-rule-of-law-is-the-main-reason-pakistan-could-not-join-the/) [Imran Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/imran-khan/) > [Human rights and rule of law are inseparably connected.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aung-san-suu-kyi/human-rights-and-rule-of-law-are-inseparably-connected/) [Aung San Suu Kyi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aung-san-suu-kyi/) > [In any civil society, there's a serious problem when confidence in the rule of law is shaken.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-hoover/in-any-civil-society-there-s-a-serious-problem-when-confidence-in-the/) [Margaret Hoover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-hoover/) > [I think the United States is still the indispensable force for positive change and for rule of law and for order and structure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kerry/i-think-the-united-states-is-still-the-indispensable-force-for/) [John F. Kerry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kerry/) > [I studied law before I became a filmmaker, and I actually have a great belief in the justice system and the rule of law.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-broomfield/i-studied-law-before-i-became-a-filmmaker-and-i-actually-have-a-great/) [Nick Broomfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-broomfield/) > [Rule of law is based on probable cause.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-swalwell/rule-of-law-is-based-on-probable-cause/) [Eric Swalwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-swalwell/) > [The first step in the direction of a world rule of law is the recognition that peace no longer is an unobtainable ideal but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-mead/the-first-step-in-the-direction-of-a-world-rule-of-law-is-the/) [Margaret Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-mead/) > [“The Chinese state, from the days of the Qin, was an efficient, bureaucratized autocracy. Yet to this day, China has never developed the rule…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-wade/the-chinese-state-from-the-days-of-the-qin-was-an-efficient/) [Nicholas Wade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-wade/) > [A country's adhering to the rule of law does not mean that its citizens will not do bad things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-inhofe/a-country-s-adhering-to-the-rule-of-law-does-not-mean-that-its/) [James Inhofe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-inhofe/) > [Overregulation corrupts citizens and weakens the rule of law.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-lessig/overregulation-corrupts-citizens-and-weakens-the-rule-of-law/) [Lawrence Lessig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-lessig/) > [Any new legal measures, or cooperative arrangements between government and companies meant to keep people from organizing violence or criminal actions, must not be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rebecca-mackinnon/any-new-legal-measures-or-cooperative-arrangements-between-government/) [Rebecca MacKinnon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rebecca-mackinnon/) > [I'm a principle liberty, rule-of-law Conservative.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-o-toole/i-m-a-principle-liberty-rule-of-law-conservative/) [Erin O'Toole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-o-toole/) ## More by Samuel Alito > [When I get a case about discrimination, I have to think about people in my own family who suffered discrimination because of their ethnic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-alito/when-i-get-a-case-about-discrimination-i-have-to-think-about-people/) [Samuel Alito](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-alito/) > [I think that Congress's ability to reason is fully equal to that of the judiciary.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-alito/i-think-that-congress-s-ability-to-reason-is-fully-equal-to-that-of/) [Samuel Alito](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-alito/) > [As I mentioned, things were particularly hard during the Depression. My paternal grandfather was frequently out of work, and the family was evicted from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-alito/as-i-mentioned-things-were-particularly-hard-during-the-depression-my/) [Samuel Alito](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-alito/) > [I can still remember the day, as an assistant U.S. attorney, when I stood up in court for the first time and I proudly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-alito/i-can-still-remember-the-day-as-an-assistant-u-s-attorney-when-i/) [Samuel Alito](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-alito/) > [If you want know what sort of a justice I would make, then look at what sort of a judge I have been.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-alito/if-you-want-know-what-sort-of-a-justice-i-would-make-then-look-at/) [Samuel Alito](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-alito/) > [I've learned a lot during my years on the 3rd Circuit, particularly, I think, about the way in which a judge should go about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-alito/i-ve-learned-a-lot-during-my-years-on-the-3rd-circuit-particularly-i/) [Samuel Alito](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-alito/) > [Part of me wanted to get a graduate degree in political science. Had I done that, I suppose I would have become a college…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-alito/part-of-me-wanted-to-get-a-graduate-degree-in-political-science-had-i/) [Samuel Alito](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-alito/) > [My grandparents came worked hard, and I believe they never regretted their decision to come here and make a new start.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-alito/my-grandparents-came-worked-hard-and-i-believe-they-never-regretted/) [Samuel Alito](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-alito/) > [You want us to step in and render a decision based on an assessment of the effects of this institution which is newer than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-alito/you-want-us-to-step-in-and-render-a-decision-based-on-an-assessment/) [Samuel Alito](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-alito/) > [Good judges are always open to the possibility of changing their minds based on the next brief that they read, or the next argument…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-alito/good-judges-are-always-open-to-the-possibility-of-changing-their/) [Samuel Alito](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-alito/) > [I think that the legitimacy of the court would be undermined in any case if the court made a decision based on its perception…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-alito/i-think-that-the-legitimacy-of-the-court-would-be-undermined-in-any/) [Samuel Alito](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-alito/) > [I have been a judge for 15 years and I've made up my own mind during all that time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-alito/i-have-been-a-judge-for-15-years-and-i-ve-made-up-my-own-mind-during/) [Samuel Alito](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-alito/) > [The most important quality for a judge is open- mindedness to the arguments.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-alito/the-most-important-quality-for-a-judge-is-open-mindedness-to-the/) [Samuel Alito](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-alito/) > [Justice Sandra Day O'Connor has been a pioneer, and her dedicated service on the Supreme Court will never be forgotten. And the people of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-alito/justice-sandra-day-o-connor-has-been-a-pioneer-and-her-dedicated/) [Samuel Alito](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-alito/) > [A generation earlier, I think that somebody from my background probably would not have felt fully comfortable at a college like Princeton. But, by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-alito/a-generation-earlier-i-think-that-somebody-from-my-background/) [Samuel Alito](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-alito/) [Explore all 58 Samuel Alito quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-alito/) ## More Cases quotes > [The time that one gains cannot be accumulated in a storehouse; it is contradictory to want to save up existence, which, the fact is,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simone-de-beauvoir/the-time-that-one-gains-cannot-be-accumulated-in-a-storehouse-it-is/) [Simone de Beauvoir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simone-de-beauvoir/) > [It can sometimes make people fold into themselves and kind of run away, but I think in this case these characters are being forced…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-deschanel/it-can-sometimes-make-people-fold-into-themselves-and-kind-of-run/) [Emily Deschanel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-deschanel/) > [I'd always have grease in at least two places, in case the umpires would ask me to wipe one off. 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