Justice Hugo L. BlackJustice Hugo L. Black, (1886-1971) US Supreme Court Justice

Justice Hugo L. Black Quote

“The public welfare demands that constitutional cases must be decided according to the terms of the Constitution itself, and not according to judges’ views of fairness, reasonableness, or justice. I have no fear of constitutional amendments properly adopted, but I do fear the rewriting of the Constitution by judges under the guise of interpretation.”

Justice Hugo L. BlackJustice Hugo L. Black
~ Justice Hugo L. Black


Ratings and Comments


Mike, Norwalk

Not shooting the here prolific rewriting messenger, absolutely ! The Constitution has all but been interpreted and legislated out of existence by the judiciary.

J Allen, Arlington, Va

Hugo Black made a number of wonderful quotes about liberty and the constitution then ruled to trample same when he backed FDR's New Deal agenda. A phony defense of the constitution and an enemy of individual liberty.

Mary - MI
  • 3
  • Reply
Mary - MI    8/17/11

We have too many if office who practice judicial, legislative and executive activism, i.e., violating, usurping and abrogating the Rule of Law/U.S. Constitution!

jim k, Austin, Tx

Our fine president and his hack buddies in Washington don't care a fig about the Constitution. They simply ignore it and continue their work of turning this country into a third world socialist sink hole.

Waffler, Smith

The Constitution is a document-law that defines how the new government that it established is to work. It is not a philosophical treatise that describes or dictates every aspect of human relations etcetera. It is not written in stone and in fact allows for a process of amendment for when the people see fit to change it.

Anonymous
  • 1
  • 2
  • Reply
Anonymous    8/17/11

America needs a judge like him

E Archer, NYC

Yes, Waffler, the Constitution does not dictate every aspect of human relations -- so where does the government get the authority to do so? The Constitution is NOT being amended, however. The President and Congress assume many powers that were not authorized by the Constitution or any Amendments. How can a President make gold illegal, for example? FDR did it, and many fear Obama might try it, too. The Patriot Act suspends the right of habeas corpus -- where did they get the authority to do so? Congress and the President rarely act within the confines of the Constitution -- they assume much power and influence without an honest press to expose their deceptions. The Constitution IS written in stone until lawfully ratified. However, Congress did a poor job of setting up "Constitution Enforcement" which would charge representatives with citations and crimes when they acted without Constitutional authority. All proposed bills should first be reviewed for Constitutionality before passage, quoting the authorization for the proposed act in the Constitution. We have MANY unconstitutional statutes on the books pretending to be 'law' -- it costs millions to challenge a Congressional legislative act -- and usually these bogus acts are to benefit some corporate monopoly that will pour millions more into keeping it in place.

Ronw13, OR
  • 1
  • Reply
    Ronw13, OR    5/23/18

    Black was/is a two headed snake, obviously there was opposition on the bench, for him to make such a statement contrary to his actions. The man is not worth one star, nor his bringing to point private interpretation. Language understood well, lends itself to the literal translation. Our Constitution in Defence of our Declaration Stands Strong upon the Rock, That, which the Republic Rest. Written in Stone indeed ! FDR did show remorse later, and knew exactly what he was doing. People just waking up to, What and When it happened, should look at the broader scope and long term effects of the then, "boots on the ground" and the Great Generation. It has in a way afforded compassion for/to fellow conservatives in this time of need. Bias within Patriots disappears as understanding comes to light. Many a democratic Patriot voted for President Trump. Bridging the gap of misunderstanding. Reprobates and thieves would be found to side with the wafflers of the world. Thinking they can legislate away the Natural law of moral responsibility, which in harmony, mirrors and effects our licentious liberty.

    @

    Get a Quote-a-Day!

    Liberty Quotes sent to your mail box daily.