Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Supreme Court Justice

Contemporary influential 133 sayings

Sayings by Ruth Bader Ginsburg

The enormous difference between fighting gender discrimination as opposed to race discrimination is good people immediately perceive race discrimination as evil and intolerable. But when I talked about sex-based discrimination, I got the response, 'What are you talking about? Women are treated ever so much better than men!'

Unknown, part of general quotes collection — On the perception of gender vs. race discrimination
Shocking Unverifiable

Abortion prohibition by the State controls women and denies them full autonomy and full equality with men. The decision whether or not to bear a child is central to a woman's life, to her well-being and dignity. It is a decision she must make for herself. When Government controls that decision for her, she is being treated as less than a fully adult human responsible for her own choices.

Unknown, part of general quotes collection — On abortion rights and bodily autonomy
Shocking Unverifiable

A gender line helps to keep women not on a pedestal, but in a cage.

Unknown, part of general quotes collection — On the restrictive nature of gender roles
Shocking Unverifiable

I remember envying the boys long before I even knew the word 'feminism,' because I liked shop better than cooking or sewing.

Unknown, part of general quotes collection — Personal reflection on early gender role frustrations
Shocking Unverifiable

Frankly I had thought that at the time Roe was decided, there was concern about population growth and particularly growth in populations that we don’t want to have too many of.

2009 — Interview with The New York Times
Controversial Unverifiable

There will be enough women on the court when there are nine.

2012 — Response to question about gender balance on the Supreme Court
Controversial Unverifiable

I wish there was a way I could wave a magic wand and put back when people were respectful of each other and the Congress was working for the good of the country and not just along party lines.

2014 — Speech at Stanford University
Controversial Unverifiable

The notion that because you are a woman, you must be more sensitive or delicate is a stereotype I have fought against my whole life.

2015 — Interview with MSNBC
Controversial Unverifiable

If I had any talent in the world, any talent that God could give me, I would be a great diva.

2016 — Interview with NPR
Controversial Unverifiable

I think the side that wants to take the choice away from women and give it to the state, they’re fighting a losing battle. Time is on the side of change.

2013 — Interview with The New York Times
Controversial Unverifiable

The greatest menace to freedom is an inert people.

2013 — Speech at the University of Chicago
Controversial Unverifiable

I am ever hopeful that if the court has a blind spot today, its eyes will be open tomorrow.

2015 — Interview with The Atlantic
Controversial Unverifiable

The emphasis must be not on the right to abortion but on the right to privacy and reproductive control.

1993 — Speech at the University of Chicago
Controversial Unverifiable