--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Good judges are always open to the…" description: "\"Good judges are always open to the possibility of changing their minds based on the next brief that they read, or the next argument that's made by an a..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/437/samuel-alito-11708_appearing_good-judges-are-always-open-to-the-possi_394462.jpg" --- # Good judges are always open to the possibility of changing… ![“Good judges are always open to the possibility of changing their minds based on the next brief that they read, or the next argument that's made by an attorney who's appearing before them, or a comment that is made by a colleague during the conference on the case when the judges privately discuss…” quote by Samuel Alito](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/437/samuel-alito-11708_appearing_good-judges-are-always-open-to-the-possi_394462.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/437/samuel-alito-11708_appearing_good-judges-are-always-open-to-the-possi_394462.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/437/samuel-alito-11708_appearing_good-judges-are-always-open-to-the-possi_394462.jpg) > “Good judges are always open to the possibility of changing their minds based on the next brief that they read, or the next argument that's made by an attorney who's appearing before them, or a comment that is made by a colleague during the conference on the case when the judges privately discuss the case.” [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. Judges should stay flexible, revising opinions when new evidence or arguments arise, ensuring fair outcomes. **In simple terms:** Judges must remain open to new information. Key Takeaway Stay open to revising decisions based on fresh input. Themes justice flexibility legal reasoning fairness learning Mood analytical serious Type ethical philosophical When to use this quote - appeals process - case law updates - legal education - policy reform Key Concepts Judicial openness evidence evaluation argument analysis Questions to Reflect On - When have you changed your mind after new evidence? - How does openness affect legal credibility? A Different Perspective Rigid adherence to initial views can undermine justice. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Argument](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/argument/) [Attorney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attorney/) [Colleagues](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/colleagues/) [Constitution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/constitution/) [Good judges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-judges/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Possibility](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/possibility/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) ## Related quotes > [Good judges develop certain habits of mind. One of those habits of mind is the habit of delaying reaching conclusions until everything has been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-alito/good-judges-develop-certain-habits-of-mind-one-of-those-habits-of/) [Samuel Alito](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-alito/) > [“If we are ever going to achieve a rational approach to organizing our affairs, we have to dignify the process of admitting to being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-eno/if-we-are-ever-going-to-achieve-a-rational-approach-to-organizing-our/) [Brian Eno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-eno/) > [“I’m socially impaired. I get surprised all the time by people saying and doing irrational things. Take gay marriage. Why would some people get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eileen-wilks/i-m-socially-impaired-i-get-surprised-all-the-time-by-people-saying/) [Eileen Wilks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eileen-wilks/) > [“If we want to be more like Leonardo, we have to be fearless about changing our minds based on new information.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-isaacson/if-we-want-to-be-more-like-leonardo-we-have-to-be-fearless-about/) [Walter Isaacson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-isaacson/) > [We're not aware of changing our minds even when we do change our minds. And most people, after they change their minds, reconstruct their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-kahneman/we-re-not-aware-of-changing-our-minds-even-when-we-do-change-our/) [Daniel Kahneman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-kahneman/) > [The only way to change our lives is by changing our minds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-only-way-to-change-our-lives-is-by-changing-our-minds/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Either people are changing their minds about Trump, or increasing numbers of his supporters are deciding it is too embarrassing to admit they support…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristen-soltis-anderson/either-people-are-changing-their-minds-about-trump-or-increasing/) [Kristen Soltis Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristen-soltis-anderson/) > [“What people resist the most about spiritual healing is changing their minds.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-kelley-harrell/what-people-resist-the-most-about-spiritual-healing-is-changing-their/) [S. Kelley Harrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-kelley-harrell/) > [Throughout history, the really fundamental changes in societies have come about not from the dictates of governments and the results of battles, but through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willis-harman/throughout-history-the-really-fundamental-changes-in-societies-have/) [Willis Harman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willis-harman/) > [I don't think changing minds is possible with just comedy. It's too much to expect from your own art.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/varun-grover/i-don-t-think-changing-minds-is-possible-with-just-comedy-it-s-too/) [Varun Grover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/varun-grover/) > [I'm not really opposed to people changing their minds. I'm much more concerned with people who never change their minds no matter what new…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-sanders/i-m-not-really-opposed-to-people-changing-their-minds-i-m-much-more/) [Bernie Sanders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-sanders/) > [“. . . changing the minds of people whose opinions aren’t based on actual facts tend to be the hardest, because their beliefs are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-jennings-hegar/changing-the-minds-of-people-whose-opinions-aren-t-based-on-actual/) [Mary Jennings Hegar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-jennings-hegar/) > [Change comes not from men and women changing their minds, but from the change from one generation to the next.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kenneth-galbraith/change-comes-not-from-men-and-women-changing-their-minds-but-from-the/) [John Kenneth Galbraith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kenneth-galbraith/) > [In order to design a future of positive change, we must first become expert at changing our minds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacque-fresco/in-order-to-design-a-future-of-positive-change-we-must-first-become/) [Jacque Fresco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacque-fresco/) > [“Time has a way of changing our minds.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/millie-florence/time-has-a-way-of-changing-our-minds/) Millie Florence ## 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/) > [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/) > [Many people have been positive influences in my life. My parents, whom I mentioned, were the most important, but many of my teachers were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-alito/many-people-have-been-positive-influences-in-my-life-my-parents-whom/) [Samuel Alito](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-alito/) [Explore all 58 Samuel Alito quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-alito/) ## More Appearing quotes > [I even see the cinema itself as a woman, with its alternation of light and darkness, of appearing and disappearing images](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/federico-fellini/i-even-see-the-cinema-itself-as-a-woman-with-its-alternation-of-light/) [Federico Fellini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/federico-fellini/) > [I find it profoundly symbolic that I am appearing before a committee of fifteen men who will report to a legislative body of one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/letty-cottin-pogrebin/i-find-it-profoundly-symbolic-that-i-am-appearing-before-a-committee/) [Letty Cottin Pogrebin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/letty-cottin-pogrebin/) > [Acting is not a state of being ... but a state of appearing to be. You can't be eight times a week without going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noel-coward/acting-is-not-a-state-of-being-but-a-state-of-appearing-to-be-you-can/) [Noel Coward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noel-coward/) > [We owe America something because they turned us into a touring band. But at least we feel confident about appearing in Britain again now.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-marriott/we-owe-america-something-because-they-turned-us-into-a-touring-band/) Steve Marriott > [I stopped appearing as Dracula in 1972 because in my opinion the presentation of the character had deteriorated to such an extent, particularly bringing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-lee/i-stopped-appearing-as-dracula-in-1972-because-in-my-opinion-the/) [Christopher Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-lee/) > [It was 1988, I believe, that I met Grit. We were both appearing in a Canadian Folk Festival and as we sat backstage he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-chapin/it-was-1988-i-believe-that-i-met-grit-we-were-both-appearing-in-a/) [Tom Chapin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-chapin/) > [I am of course getting angry if biologists try to use the general concept 'chance' in order to explain phenomena which are so typical…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wolfgang-paul/i-am-of-course-getting-angry-if-biologists-try-to-use-the-general/) [Wolfgang Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wolfgang-paul/) > [Equity sends questions to Law. Law sends questions back to equity; Law finds it can't do this, equity finds it can't do that; neither…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/equity-sends-questions-to-law-law-sends-questions-back-to-equity-law/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) > [Layering in different patterns will keep things from appearing too studied.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nate-berkus/layering-in-different-patterns-will-keep-things-from-appearing-too/) [Nate Berkus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nate-berkus/) > [Barbra Streisand developed overwhelming performance anxiety at the height of her career; for 27 years she refused to perform for the general public, appearing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-stossel/barbra-streisand-developed-overwhelming-performance-anxiety-at-the/) [Scott Stossel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-stossel/) > [How many people become abstract as a way of appearing profound.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-joubert/how-many-people-become-abstract-as-a-way-of-appearing-profound/) [Joseph Joubert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-joubert/) > [I have often seen a cat without a grin - but a grin without a cat - remember the cat kept appearing and disappearing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-carroll/i-have-often-seen-a-cat-without-a-grin-but-a-grin-without-a-cat/) [Lewis Carroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-carroll/) > [We feel a lot of pressure about looking silly or appearing weak, whatever that means, or being a failure. You have to keep in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-fassbender/we-feel-a-lot-of-pressure-about-looking-silly-or-appearing-weak/) [Michael Fassbender](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-fassbender/) > [When we developed the 'Seinfeld' show, we took a bet on Jerry Seinfeld, who was not a household name. But Jerry had a voice.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-littlefield/when-we-developed-the-seinfeld-show-we-took-a-bet-on-jerry-seinfeld/) [Warren Littlefield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-littlefield/) > [The practical effect of a belief is the real test of its soundness. Where we find a heroic life appearing as the uniform fruit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-anthony-froude/the-practical-effect-of-a-belief-is-the-real-test-of-its-soundness/) [James Anthony Froude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-anthony-froude/) Browse all 284 Appearing quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Good judges are always open to the possibility of changing their minds based on the next brief that they read, or the next argument that's made by an attorney who's appearing before them, or a comment that is made by a colleague during the conference on the case when the judges privately discuss the case.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Samuel Alito" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-alito/good-judges-are-always-open-to-the-possibility-of-changing-their/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Appearing" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-alito/good-judges-are-always-open-to-the-possibility-of-changing-their/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/437/samuel-alito-11708_appearing_good-judges-are-always-open-to-the-possi_394462.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/437/samuel-alito-11708_appearing_good-judges-are-always-open-to-the-possi_394462.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/437/samuel-alito-11708_appearing_good-judges-are-always-open-to-the-possi_394462.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Good judges are always open to the possibility of changing their minds based on the next brief that they…” — Samuel Alito", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Samuel Alito", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-alito/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Good judges are always open to...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-alito/good-judges-are-always-open-to-the-possibility-of-changing-their/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-alito/good-judges-are-always-open-to-the-possibility-of-changing-their/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```