--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If settled means that it cant be…" description: "\"If settled means that it cant be re-examined, thats one thing. If settled means that it is a precedent that is entitled to respect then it is a precede..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/301/samuel-alito-11708_cant_if-settled-means-that-it-cant-be-re-exam_2715121.jpg" --- # If settled means that it cant be re-examined, thats one… ![“If settled means that it cant be re-examined, thats one thing. If settled means that it is a precedent that is entitled to respect then it is a precedent that is protected.” quote by Samuel Alito](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/301/samuel-alito-11708_cant_if-settled-means-that-it-cant-be-re-exam_2715121.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/301/samuel-alito-11708_cant_if-settled-means-that-it-cant-be-re-exam_2715121.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/301/samuel-alito-11708_cant_if-settled-means-that-it-cant-be-re-exam_2715121.jpg) > “If settled means that it cant be re-examined, thats one thing. If settled means that it is a precedent that is entitled to respect then it is a precedent that is protected.” [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 settled rule can mean either immutable or a respected precedent, each with different implications for legal flexibility. **In simple terms:** Settled can be either unchangeable or respected precedent. Key Takeaway Recognize when precedent protects versus hinders. Themes law precedent flexibility Mood analytical critical Type legal philosophical When to use this quote - court rulings - legislative drafting - legal education Key Concepts jurisprudence stability interpretation Questions to Reflect On - When should precedent be challenged? - How does respect for precedent affect justice? A Different Perspective Rigid adherence may stifle necessary legal evolution. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Cant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cant/) [Entitled](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/entitled/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Mean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mean/) [Means Precedent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/means-precedent-2838009/) [One thing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/one-thing/) [Precedent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/precedent/) [Precedent Protected](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/precedent-protected-2838007/) [Protected](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/protected/) [Respect Precedent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/respect-precedent-2683083/) [Settled Means](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/settled-means-2838006/) [Thing Settled](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thing-settled-2838008/) ## Related quotes > [I always look for judges who respect precedent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-collins/i-always-look-for-judges-who-respect-precedent/) [Susan Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-collins/) > [Bestow rewards without respect to customary practice; publish orders without respect to precedent. Thus you may employ the entire army as you would one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/bestow-rewards-without-respect-to-customary-practice-publish-orders/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [Judge Roberts has assured me personally that he has a healthy respect for precedent and the hard-won rights of Americans.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-baucus/judge-roberts-has-assured-me-personally-that-he-has-a-healthy-respect/) [Max Baucus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-baucus/) > [I had the good fortune to begin my legal career as a law clerk for a judge who really epitomized open-mindedness and fairness. He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-alito/i-had-the-good-fortune-to-begin-my-legal-career-as-a-law-clerk-for-a/) [Samuel Alito](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-alito/) > [It is in vain to oppose constitutional barriers to the impulse of self-preservation. It is worse than in vain; because it plants in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/it-is-in-vain-to-oppose-constitutional-barriers-to-the-impulse-of/) [James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-madison/) > [It's only now that I realize that behaviour always has a context and precedents, it's what you do rather than what you are, although…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irvine-welsh/it-s-only-now-that-i-realize-that-behaviour-always-has-a-context-and/) [Irvine Welsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irvine-welsh/) > [Every presidential candidate for decades has released his tax returns, and I've released 33 years of my tax returns. 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It stresses differences rather than commonalities. Diverse people worldwide are mostly engaged in hating each other - that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-lamm/diversity-is-a-wonderfully-seductive-word-it-stresses-differences/) [Richard Lamm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-lamm/) > [When I went to law school, which after all was back in the dark ages, we never looked beyond our borders for precedents. As…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sandra-day-o-connor/when-i-went-to-law-school-which-after-all-was-back-in-the-dark-ages/) [Sandra Day O'Connor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sandra-day-o-connor/) ## 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. 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