I think people are great in many different ways. So, I think some justices are great because they have extraordinary wisdom, they have an understanding of how to apply the law in their times in a way that's completely consistent with the text of the law and the purposes of the law, and in a way that's completely right for the times in which they live in.

Elena Kagan

Categorized in : Thinking People Law

I've led a school whose faculty and students examine and discuss and debate every aspect of our law and legal system. And what I've learned most is that no one has a monopoly on truth or wisdom. I've learned that we make progress by listening to each other, across every apparent political or ideological divide.

Elena Kagan

wisdom truth school

Law matters, because it keeps us safe, because it protects our most fundamental rights and freedoms, and because it is the foundation of our democracy.

Elena Kagan

democracy rights law

Suppose a State said that, Because we think that the focus of marriage really should be on procreation, we are not going to give marriage licenses anymore to any couple where both people are over the age of 55. Would that be constitutional?

Elena Kagan

gay couple thinking

I have no regrets. I don't believe in looking back. What I am proudest of? Working really hard... and achieving as much as I could.

Elena Kagan

achieve regret believe

There is no federal constitutional right to same-sex marriage.

Elena Kagan

sex

My politics would be, must be, have to be, completely separate from my judgment.

Elena Kagan

judgment would-be

It was a very cool thing to be a smart girl, as opposed to some other, different kind. And I think that made a great deal of difference to me growing up and in my life afterward.

Elena Kagan

smart growing-up girl

Perhaps most important, judges will have goals. And because this is so, judges will often try to mold and steer the law in order to promote certain ethical values and achieve certain social ends. Such activity is not necessarily wrong or invalid.

Elena Kagan

goal law order

Like all Jews, I was probably at a Chinese restaurant!

Elena Kagan

restaurants jew chinese

It is absolutely true that I have served in two Democratic administrations. You can tell something from me and my political views from that.

Elena Kagan

political views two

The Supreme Court, of course, has the responsibility of ensuring that our government never oversteps its proper bounds or violates the rights of individuals. But the Court must also recognize the limits on itself and respect the choices made by the American people.

Elena Kagan

government responsibility rights

American radicals cannot afford to become their own worst enemies. In unity lies their only hope.

Elena Kagan

worst-enemy unity lying

I owe a debt of gratitude to two other living Justices. Sandra Day O'Connor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg paved the way for me and so many other women in my generation. Their pioneering lives have created boundless possibilities for women in the law. I thank them for their inspiration and also for the personal kindnesses they have shown me.

Elena Kagan

gratitude inspiration kindness

When the Senate ceases to engage nominees in meaningful discussion of legal issues, the confirmation process takes on an air of vacuity and farce, and the Senate becomes incapable of evaluating nominees or appropriately educating the public.

Elena Kagan

issues air meaningful

And what my constitutional values are are wholly irrelevant to the job, and so neither you nor anyone else will know what they are.

Elena Kagan

irrelevant knows jobs

I think the nine justices think the solicitor general is the 35th clerk.

Elena Kagan

clerks justice thinking

In our own times, a coherent socialist movement is nowhere to be found in the United States. Americans are more likely to speak of a golden past than of a golden future, of capitalism's glories than of socialism's greatness.

Elena Kagan

golden greatness past

What my political views or my constitutional views are just doesn't matter.

Elena Kagan

political matter views

I do not espouse the unitarian position. President Clinton's assertion of directive authority over administration, more than President Reagan's assertion of a general supervisory authority, raises serious constitutional questions.

Elena Kagan

administration serious president

To have the opportunity to lead the Solicitor General's office is the honor of a lifetime. As you know, this is an office with a long and rich tradition, not only of extraordinary legal skill but also of extraordinary professionalism and integrity. That is due, in large measure, to the people who have led it.

Elena Kagan

skills opportunity integrity