I came to accept during my freshman year that many of the gaps in my knowledge and understanding were simply limits of class and cultural background, not lack of aptitude or application as I’d feared.
SONIA SOTOMAYORWhether born from experience or inherent physiological or cultural differences…our gender and national origins may and will make a difference in our judging.
More Sonia Sotomayor Quotes
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There are uses to adversity, and they don’t reveal themselves until tested. Whether it’s serious illness, financial hardship, or the simple constraint of parents who speak limited English, difficulty can tap unexpected strengths.
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Some people choose not to engage the battle and then don’t seek out that kind of success. And others do.
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I have always been actively involved in my community, belonging to organizations that promote the interests of Latinos. But I also know that the issues we confront are the same issues, in many respects, as the larger community. So what we do helps not just us but everybody.
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I was a keen observer and listener. I picked up on clues. I figured things out logically, and I enjoyed puzzles. I loved the clear, focused feeling that came when I concentrated on solving a problem and everything else faded out.
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I strive never to forget the real world consequences of my decisions on individuals, businesses and government.
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My diabetes is such a central part of my life… it did teach me discipline, it also taught me about moderation. I’ve trained myself to be super-vigilant because I feel better when I am in control.
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I have never had to face anything that could overwhelm the native optimism and stubborn perseverance I was blessed with.
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Don’t mistake politeness for lack of strength.
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I have come to believe that in order to thrive, a child must have at least one adult in her life who shows her unconditional love, respect, and confidence.
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The Latina in me is an ember that blazes forever.
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Pretending to be a princess is fun, but it is definitely not a career.
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I don’t have a professional aspiration. But I do have a personal one: I want to continue growing as a person. I want to reach out more to people, learn more from them. Ultimately, I would like to be a great justice that people remember with respect and fondness.
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I think that even someone who got into an institution through affirmative action could prove they were qualified by what they accomplished there.
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I don’t believe we should bend the Constitution under any circumstance. It says what it says. We should do honor to it.
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The truth is that since childhood I had cultivated an existential independence. It came from perceiving the adults around me as unreliable, and without it I felt I wouldn’t have survived. I cared deeply for everyone in my family, but in the end I depended on myself.
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