To have the opportunity to lead the Solicitor General's office is

Hear, O children of justice and heirs of wisdom, the words of Elena Kagan: “To have the opportunity to lead the Solicitor General's office is the honor of a lifetime. As you know, this is an office with a long and rich tradition, not only of extraordinary legal skill but also of extraordinary professionalism and integrity. That is due, in large measure, to the people who have led it.” These words are not merely the gratitude of one appointed to high duty, but the recognition of a sacred lineage, an inheritance of truth and service that stretches across generations. For she speaks not of herself alone, but of the mantle of legal skill, professionalism, and integrity that she was called to carry.

The ancients knew well the weight of offices of law. In Rome, the praetors and consuls bore the burden of interpreting and applying justice. They understood that such positions were not for vanity or personal glory, but for the preservation of order and fairness within the republic. To be entrusted with such a post was to be bound by oath to something greater than oneself. Kagan’s words breathe this same spirit: that to lead the Solicitor General’s office is not a triumph of ambition, but a solemn calling to serve the law with honor.

Consider the long history of that office in the United States. The Solicitor General is often called the “Tenth Justice,” for it is this office that speaks before the Supreme Court on behalf of the nation. The role demands not only mastery of the law, but also the rare virtue of fairness, for the Solicitor General must sometimes confess the government’s errors, and at other times defend its position with zeal. It is an office that tests both intellect and character, where integrity weighs heavier than triumph. Thus Kagan rightly calls it an honor of a lifetime.

Look also to the example of Charles Fried, who served as Solicitor General under President Reagan. Though a man of conservative views, he stood before the Court with respect and dignity, and even defended positions with which he personally disagreed, because his duty was to the law and to the Constitution, not to his private opinions. His service reflects what Kagan describes: a tradition of professionalism and integrity, passed from one leader to another, like a torch that must never be extinguished.

The origin of Kagan’s words lies in the moment of her appointment in 2009, when she was chosen by President Obama to serve in this office before ascending later to the Supreme Court. Her statement carries the humility of one who knows that her place is built upon the labor of predecessors. She does not boast of her own abilities, but honors those who came before, acknowledging that the greatness of the office comes not from the title, but from the men and women who served it faithfully.

The meaning of her teaching stretches far beyond law. It reminds us that every institution—whether a court, a school, a family, or a nation—rests not only on rules and structures, but on the integrity of the people who lead it. Skill alone is not enough; without professionalism and honesty, skill becomes corruption. A tradition becomes rich not by accident, but by the steady choices of those who uphold it. Thus, each generation is called to add its strength to the foundation, so that those who follow may inherit something greater than themselves.

The lesson for us is this: when given responsibility, treat it not as a prize, but as a sacred trust. Remember always that your conduct adds to—or diminishes—the tradition of those who came before. Strive not only to be skilled, but to be honorable. Let your integrity shine as brightly as your knowledge, for in the long memory of history, it is character that endures.

Practical action lies before us: in your work, emulate the spirit of those who built your path. Honor your predecessors by adding to the richness of the tradition you have inherited. Seek excellence not for yourself alone, but for the good of the whole. And when you are tempted to cut corners or compromise your values, remember the words of Kagan: the honor of a lifetime is not the title you hold, but the integrity with which you hold it.

So let it be remembered: greatness in law, as in life, flows from skill joined with integrity. Those who lead with both create legacies that endure, lighting the way for generations yet unborn. And those who betray either leave only shadows. Choose, therefore, to be a torchbearer, so that the tradition entrusted to you may shine brighter in the hands of those who follow.