Antonin Scalia Quotes

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Antonin Scalia

Profession : Judge

Birth : March 11, 1936

I do accept that, with - with respect to those vague terms in the Constitution such as equal protection of the laws, due process of law, cruel and unusual punishments. I fully accept that those things have to apply to new phenomena that didn't exist at the time.

Antonin Scalia

I'm an originalist and a textualist, not a nut.

Antonin Scalia

There exists in some parts of the world sanctimonious criticism of America's death penalty, as somehow unworthy of a civilized society.

Antonin Scalia

We have laws against torture. The Constitution says nothing whatever about torture. It speaks of punishment; 'cruel and unusual' punishments are forbidden.

Antonin Scalia

It's not up to the courts to invent new minorities that get special protections.

Antonin Scalia

If you condemn someone who has committed a crime to be tortured, that would be unconstitutional.

Antonin Scalia

Until the courts put a stop to it, public debate over same-sex marriage displayed American democracy at its best. Individuals on both sides of the issue passionately, but respectfully, attempted to persuade their fellow citizens to accept their views.

Antonin Scalia

I love to argue. I've always loved to argue. And I love to point out the weaknesses of the opposing arguments. It may well be that I'm something of a shin kicker. It may well be that I'm something of a contrarian.

Antonin Scalia

Like most rights, the Second Amendment right is not unlimited... It is not a right to keep and carry any weapon whatsoever in any manner whatsoever and for whatever purpose.

Antonin Scalia

I would not like to be replaced by someone who immediately sets about undoing what I've tried to do for 25-26 years.

Antonin Scalia

Why in the world would you have it interpreted by nine lawyers?

Antonin Scalia

If there's anything you absolutely hate, why, it must be unconstitutional. Or, if there's anything you absolutely have to have, it must be required by the Constitution. That's where we are. That is utterly mindless.

Antonin Scalia

I'm a law-and-order guy. I mean, I confess I'm a social conservative, but it does not affect my views on cases.

Antonin Scalia

Originalism says that when you consult the text, you give it the meaning it had when it was adopted, not some later modern meaning.

Antonin Scalia

If we're picking people to draw out of their own conscience and experience a 'new' Constitution, we should not look principally for good lawyers. We should look to people who agree with us. When we are in that mode, you realize we have rendered the Constitution useless.

Antonin Scalia

A good, hard-hitting dissent keeps you honest.

Antonin Scalia

Many Americans do not want persons who openly engage in homosexual conduct as partners in their business, as scoutmasters for their children, as teachers in their children's schools, or as boarders in their home. They view this as protecting themselves and their families from a lifestyle that they believe to be immoral and destructive.

Antonin Scalia

There is nothing new in the realization that the Constitution sometimes insulates the criminality of a few in order to protect the privacy of us all.

Antonin Scalia

I think I'm a pretty nice fella.

Antonin Scalia

You could have 50 different states having 50 different regulations... until they were all litigated out.

Antonin Scalia