Quote Origin: “Collegiality is crucial to the success of…

Ruth Bader Ginsburg

> “Collegiality is crucial to the success of our mission. We could not do the job the Constitution assigns to us if we didn’t – to use one of Justice Antonin Scalia’s favorite expressions – ‘Get over it!’”

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Ruth Bader Ginsburg spoke these memorable words with characteristic wisdom and warmth. The quote captures something essential about her judicial philosophy. Moreover, it reveals the practical reality of Supreme Court operations. The late Justice understood that personal disagreements couldn’t undermine institutional effectiveness.

This statement resonates beyond the marble halls of the highest court. It speaks to anyone working in collaborative environments. Furthermore, it showcases the unlikely friendship between two ideological opposites. Ginsburg and Antonin Scalia famously disagreed on legal matters yet maintained deep mutual respect.

Ginsburg delivered this quote during a period of intense partisan division. Source The Supreme Court faced mounting criticism from both political sides. However, the Justices continued their work despite public scrutiny.

The late Justice spoke these words at various public appearances throughout her tenure. She frequently addressed questions about Court dynamics. Additionally, she often referenced her friendship with Justice Scalia. Their relationship defied conventional political expectations.

The Court operates differently than most people imagine. Justices must collaborate on cases regardless of personal views. They share meals, discuss legal theories, and attend social functions together. Consequently, maintaining professional relationships becomes essential to the institution’s function.

Ginsburg began using this expression in interviews and speeches during the 2000s. She particularly emphasized it after Scalia’s death in 2016. The phrase appeared in numerous media profiles and documentary films. For instance, she repeated it in the acclaimed documentary “RBG.”

The Justice used this quote to explain Court operations to general audiences. She wanted people to understand judicial collegiality. Furthermore, she aimed to counter misconceptions about Supreme Court relationships. Many Americans assumed Justices who disagreed legally must dislike each other personally.

[image: A candid behind-the-scenes photograph capturing two Supreme Court Justices in their judicial robes sharing a warm, genuine moment of laughter together in the ornate marble hallways of the Supreme Court building, golden afternoon sunlight streaming through tall classical windows creating dramatic shadows on the polished floor, the Justices standing close in animated conversation with relaxed body language and authentic smiles that suggest deep friendship despite professional differences, rich mahogany wood paneling visible in the background, the scene shot from a slight distance with natural depth of field giving an intimate documentary-style feel, warm color tones emphasizing the human connection between colleagues, architectural columns framing the composition, the photography style reminiscent of authentic workplace photojournalism capturing unguarded professional camaraderie]

Public appearances provided opportunities to share this message. Ginsburg spoke at universities, legal conferences, and cultural events. Each time, she emphasized the importance of professional respect. Indeed, she considered it fundamental to democratic institutions.

Antonin Scalia’s favorite expression “Get over it!” became legendary in legal circles. He used it frequently in opinions and conversations. The phrase reflected his direct, no-nonsense approach to law. Moreover, it captured his personality perfectly.

Ginsburg’s reference to Scalia’s expression demonstrated their unique bond. They disagreed on fundamental constitutional questions. Nevertheless, they maintained a warm friendship spanning decades. Their families vacationed together and attended operas regularly.

This friendship puzzled many observers. How could two people with opposing worldviews remain close? The answer lay in mutual intellectual respect. Both Justices valued rigorous legal reasoning above partisan loyalty. Additionally, they shared cultural interests beyond the courtroom.

Scalia challenged Ginsburg’s thinking, and she challenged his. They made each other better jurists through respectful disagreement. Consequently, their relationship modeled healthy democratic discourse. It showed that people can disagree without becoming disagreeable.

This statement encapsulates several core beliefs Ginsburg held throughout her career. First, she valued institutional stability over personal grievances. The Court’s mission transcended individual preferences. Therefore, Justices needed to maintain working relationships despite disagreements.

Second, she believed in the power of civility. Ginsburg grew up in an era emphasizing courtesy and respect. These values shaped her professional conduct. Furthermore, she saw civility as essential to persuasion. Harsh rhetoric rarely changes minds effectively.

Third, she understood that progress requires compromise and collaboration. Her early career as a women’s rights advocate taught this lesson. She won landmark cases through careful strategy and coalition-building. Similarly, Supreme Court work demands negotiation and flexibility.

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The quote also reveals Ginsburg’s pragmatic approach to law. She focused on outcomes rather than abstract theories. Getting the job done mattered more than nursing grudges. Indeed, she prioritized effectiveness over ego.

When Ginsburg mentioned “the job the Constitution assigns to us,” she meant something specific. The Supreme Court interprets federal law and constitutional provisions. This responsibility requires careful deliberation and collective judgment. Moreover, it demands setting aside personal feelings.

The Constitution established an independent judiciary for good reason. Judges need protection from political pressure. However, independence doesn’t mean isolation from colleagues. Justices must work together to produce coherent legal doctrine.

Ginsburg took this constitutional duty seriously throughout her tenure. She wrote hundreds of opinions and participated in thousands of decisions. Each case required collaboration with other Justices. Consequently, maintaining professional relationships became a constitutional imperative.

The Court decides cases affecting millions of Americans. Healthcare, voting rights, criminal justice, and civil liberties all come before the Justices. These decisions shape society for generations. Therefore, personal disputes cannot interfere with this sacred responsibility.

Ginsburg’s words resonate strongly in today’s polarized environment. Political divisions have deepened significantly since she first spoke them. Nevertheless, the message remains relevant. Indeed, it may be more important now than ever.

Workplaces everywhere struggle with ideological differences among employees. Teams must collaborate despite varying political views. Ginsburg’s approach offers a practical model. Focus on shared goals rather than disagreements. Additionally, maintain respect even during heated debates.

The quote also applies to family relationships strained by politics. Many Americans report conflicts with relatives over political issues. However, family bonds should transcend partisan loyalties. Getting over disagreements preserves relationships that matter most.

A candid photograph of two professional colleagues sharing a warm handshake and genuine smiles in a

Civic organizations face similar challenges. Board members, volunteers, and staff bring different perspectives. Yet they must work together toward common missions. Ginsburg’s wisdom suggests prioritizing institutional success over individual preferences.

While Ginsburg consistently used similar phrasing, slight variations appeared across different contexts. Sometimes she said “we must get over it” instead of “we couldn’t do our job.” Other times she emphasized different aspects of collegiality. Nevertheless, the core message remained constant.

Other Justices have expressed similar sentiments using different words. Sandra Day O’Connor frequently discussed the importance of institutional cohesion. Elena Kagan has spoken about maintaining friendships across ideological lines. These statements reinforce Ginsburg’s central theme.

The phrase “agree to disagree” captures part of this philosophy. However, Ginsburg’s version goes deeper. She didn’t just advocate tolerating differences. Instead, she promoted active collaboration despite disagreements. Furthermore, she modeled this behavior through her Scalia friendship.

Ginsburg’s emphasis on collegiality influenced how people view the Supreme Court. She humanized the institution through personal stories. Moreover, she demonstrated that judicial independence doesn’t require personal animosity. Justices can maintain principles while respecting colleagues.

Law schools now teach this quote as an example of professional conduct. Students learn that effective advocacy requires building relationships. Additionally, they discover that intellectual opponents can become valued friends. This lesson extends beyond legal practice to all professional fields.

The quote gained additional poignancy after both Ginsburg and Scalia passed away. Their friendship became symbolic of a more civil era. Many Americans now look back nostalgically at their relationship. It represents possibilities for bridging divides that seem impossible today.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s words about collegiality offer timeless wisdom for divided times. She understood that important work requires setting aside personal grievances. Moreover, she demonstrated this principle through decades of Supreme Court service. Her friendship with Antonin Scalia proved that ideological opposites can maintain mutual respect.

The quote reminds us that institutions depend on human cooperation. Constitutional duties transcend individual preferences. Furthermore, effectiveness requires focusing on shared missions rather than differences. These lessons apply far beyond the Supreme Court.

Ginsburg’s legacy includes landmark legal victories and powerful dissents. However, her emphasis on collegiality may prove equally important. She showed that democracy requires more than correct principles. It demands the willingness to work with people who hold different views. Indeed, getting over disagreements isn’t weakness—it’s strength. It enables the collaborative work that makes democratic institutions function effectively.

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