In order to get beyond racism, we must first take account of race. There is no other way. And in order to treat some persons equally, we must treat them differently.

Over our history there are always those who want to take this wall of separation and remove a brick here or there or damage it more than that. I think one has to be vigilant and constantly on the alert.

From this day forward, I no longer shall tinker with the machinery of death.

What the Court really has refused to recognize is the fundamental interest all individuals have in controlling the nature of their intimate associations.

Who is to say that 5 men 10 years ago were right whereas 5 men looking the other direction today are wrong.

If [a United States Supreme Court Justice is] in the doghouse with the Chief [Justice], he gets the crud. He gets the tax cases.

From this day forward, I no longer shall tinker with the machinery of death. ... I fell morally and intellectually obligated simply to concede that the death penalty experiment has failed.