FastSaying

As a general rule, I do not think it appropriate for judges to heap either praise or censure upon a legislative measure that comes before them, lest it be thought that their validation, invalidation, or interpretation of it is driven by their desire to expand or constrict what they personally approve or disapprove as a matter of policy.

Antonin Scalia

Antonin Scalia

AppropriateApproveBeforeCensureDesireDisapproveDrivenEitherExpandGeneralHeapInterpretationJudgesLegislativeLestMatterMeasurePersonallyPolicyPraiseRuleThemThinkThoughtValidation

Related Quotes

What is a moderate interpretation of the text? Halfway between what it really means and what you'd like it to mean?
— Antonin Scalia
HalfwayInterpretationMeans
What is a moderate interpretation of the text? Halfway between what it really means and what you'd like it to mean?
— Antonin Scalia
BetweenHalfwayInterpretation
Fool's praise is censure
— Proverb
CensurePraise
Originalism is sort of subspecies of textualism. Textualism means you are governed by the text. That's the only thing that is relevant to your decision, not whether the outcome is desirable, not whether legislative history says this or that. But the text of the statute.
— Antonin Scalia
DecisionDesirableGoverned
I think I'm a pretty nice fella.
— Antonin Scalia
FellaI ThinkNice