There is danger that, if the Court does not temper its doctrinaire logic with a little practical wisdom, it will convert the constitutional Bill of Rights into a suicide pact. Robert H. Jackson More Quotes by Robert H. Jackson More Quotes From Robert H. Jackson The very purpose of a bill of rights is to withdraw certain subjects from...political controversy, to place them beyond the reach of majorities. Robert H. Jackson majoritypoliticalrights Not every defeat of authority is a gain for individual freedom, nor every judicial rescue of a convict a victory for liberty. Robert H. Jackson victorygainsliberty We set up government by consent of the governed, and the Bill of Rights denies those in power any legal opportunity to coerce that consent. Authority here is to be controlled by public opinion, not public opinion by authority. Robert H. Jackson governmentrightsopportunity Education should be a lifelong process, the formal period serving as a foundation on which life's structure may rest and rise. Robert H. Jackson foundationteachingmay But an escape less self-depreciating was taken by Lord Westbury, who, it is said, rebuffed a barrister's reliance upon an earlier opinion of his Lordship: "I can only say that I am amazed that a man of my intelligence should have been guilty of giving such an opinion". If there are other ways of gracefully and good-naturedly surrendering former views to a better considered position, I invoke them all. Robert H. Jackson takenshould-havemen We are not final because we are infallible, but infallible only because we are final. Robert H. Jackson honorlawjustice Had the jury convicted on proper instructions it would be the end of the matter. But juries are not bound by what seems inescapable logic to judges. Robert H. Jackson judgingwould-bematter I do not know whether it is the view of the Court that a judge must be thick-skinned or just thick-headed, but nothing in my experience or observation confirms the idea that he is insensitive to publicity. Who does not prefer good to ill report of his work? And if fame a good public name is, as Milton said, the "last infirmity of noble mind", it is frequently the first infirmity of a mediocre one. Robert H. Jackson viewsnamesideas Perhaps you have heard about the college executives who were discussing what they wanted to do after retirement age. One hoped to run a prison or school of correction so that the alumni would never come back to visit. Another chose to manage an orphan asylum so that he would not be plagued with advice from parents. Robert H. Jackson educationrunningretirement The Tax Court is independent, and its neutrality is not clouded by prosecuting duties. Its procedures assure fair hearings. Its deliberations are evidenced by careful opinions. All guides to judgment available to judges are habitually consulted and respected. It has established a tradition of freedom from bias and pressures. It deals with a subject that is highly specialized and so complex as to be the despair of judges. It is relatively better staffed for its task than is the judiciary. Robert H. Jackson despairindependentjudging Men are more often bribed by their loyalties and ambitions than by money. Robert H. Jackson loyaltyambitionmen Our forefathers found the evils of free thinking more to be endured than the evils of inquest or suppression. This is because thoughtful, bold and independent minds are essential to the wise and considered self-government. Robert H. Jackson thoughtfulindependentwise Government of limited power need not be anemic government. Assurance that rights are secure tends to diminish fear and jealousy of strong government, and by making us feel safe to live under it makes for its better support. Robert H. Jackson governmentstrongrights That four great nations, flushed with victory and stung with injury, stay the hand of vengeance and voluntarily submit their captive enemies to the judgment of the law is one of the most significant tributes that Power has ever paid to Reason. Robert H. Jackson being-ignoredlawhands The mere state of being without funds is a neutral fact constitutionally an irrelevance, like race, creed, or color. Robert H. Jackson irrelevancecolorrace We can afford no liberties with liberty itself. Robert H. Jackson liberty When the Supreme Court moved to Washington in 1800, it was provided with no books, which probably accounts for the high quality of early opinions. Robert H. Jackson qualitybookamerica If we can cultivate in the world the idea that aggressive war-making is the way to the prisoner's dock rather than the way to honors, we will have accomplished something toward making the peace more secure. Robert H. Jackson honorwarideas I cannot say that our country could have no secret police without becoming totalitarian, but I can say with great conviction that it cannot become totalitarian without a centralized national police. Robert H. Jackson policegovernmentcountry Civil government cannot let any group ride roughshod over others simply because their consciences tell them to do so. Robert H. Jackson censorshipgroupsgovernment
