The freedom to criticize judges and other public officials is necessary to a vibrant democracy.

The really expert riders of horses let the horse know immediately who is in control, but then they guide the horse with loose reins and very seldom use the spurs. So it was with our chief [William Rehnquist]. He guided us with loose reins and used the spurs only rarely to get us up to speed with our work.

The Establishment Clause prohibits government from making adherence to a religion relevant in any way to a person's standing in the political community.

It is difficult to discern a serious threat to religious liberty from a room of silent, thoughtful schoolchildren.

My sense is that jurists from other nations around the world understand that our court occupies a very special place in the American system, and that the court is rather well regarded in comparison, perhaps, to their own.

Justice Ginsburg is a very competent justice, and it is a joy to have her on the court, but particularly for me it is a pleasure to have a second woman on the court.

I think I learned to appreciate and treasure each day, because you don't know how many you're going to be given.