There are no shortcuts in evolution.

Taken at face value, the line asserts that genuine development—whether biological, social, legal, or moral—cannot be rushed or achieved by bypassing necessary stages. Read in a Brandeisian key, it aligns with his frequent emphasis on gradual, experience-tested reform: durable progress comes through experimentation, learning, and the slow accumulation of habits and institutions rather than sudden, “clever” fixes. The aphorism also carries a cautionary note: attempts to force outcomes prematurely may produce brittle results or unintended consequences. In a quotations database, it functions as a compact statement of incrementalism and patience in the face of complex change.