The accretion of dangerous power does not come in a day. It does come, however slowly, from the generative force of unchecked disregard of the restrictions that fence in even the most disinterested assertion of authority.

The history of liberty has largely been the history of the observance of procedural safeguards.

Lincoln's appeal to "the better angels of our nature" failed to avert a fratricidal war. But the compassionate wisdom of Lincoln's first and second inaugurals bequeathed to the Union, cemented with blood, a moral heritage which, when drawn upon in times of stress and strife, is sure to find specific ways and means to surmount difficulties that may appear to be insurmountable.

One is entitled to say without qualification that the correlation between prior judicial experience and fitness for the Supreme Court is zero.

The mark of a truly civilized man is confidence in the strength and security derived from the inquiring mind.

We recognize that stare decisis embodies an important social policy that represents an element of continuity in law and is rooted in the psychological need to satisfy reasonable expectations.

The ultimate foundation of a free society is the binding tie of cohesive sentiment.