Political Quotes

Sonia Sotomayor: Life experiences have to influence you. We're not robots to listen to evidence and don't have feelings.

On the recordMay 7, 2009
Life experiences have to influence you. We're not robots to listen to evidence and don't have feelings.
Said by
Sonia Sotomayor
New York

Editor's note · Context

Sotomayor discusses the importance of acknowledging personal experiences in judicial decision-making.

Share

More from Sonia Sotomayor

Jul 9, 2025

at once the symbol of our democracy and the most pervasive means for promoting our common destiny.

slate.com
Jul 1, 2026

The majority’s opinion ends by reciting the many wonderful ways in which playing sports can be valuable to young people.

huffpost.com
Jul 14, 2025

When the Executive publicly announces its intent to break the law, and then executes on that promise, it is the Judiciary's duty to check that lawlessness, not expedite it.

newsweek.com
Jul 1, 2026

Because the Court today errs by reducing the burden, at least in the sports context, that the Constitution places on state actors when classifying based on sex, I respectfully dissent.

huffpost.com

Other voices in this conversation