By properly contenting itself with the decision of actual cases or controversies at the instance of someone suffering distinct and palpable injury, the judiciary leaves for the political branches the generalized grievances that are their responsibility under the Constitution. Far from an assault on the other branches, this is an insistence that they are supreme within their respective spheres, protected from intrusion — however welcome or invited — of the judiciary. Separation of powers is a zero-sum game. If one branch unconstitutionally aggrandizes itself, it is at the expense of one of the other branches.


Article III Limits on Statutory Standing, Duke Law Journal (1993); partially quoted in Greenhouse, Linda (September 3, 2015). "Judges Standing Upside-Down". New York Times.

John Roberts Quotes

By properly contenting itself with the decision of actual cases or controversies at the instance of someone suffering distinct and palpable injury,...

By properly contenting itself with the decision of actual cases or controversies at the instance of someone suffering distinct and palpable injury,...

By properly contenting itself with the decision of actual cases or controversies at the instance of someone suffering distinct and palpable injury,...

By properly contenting itself with the decision of actual cases or controversies at the instance of someone suffering distinct and palpable injury,...