What was the famous quote from Marbury v. Madison?
Asked by: Anissa Reichert | Last update: February 16, 2026Score: 4.2/5 (34 votes)
The most famous quote from Marbury v. Madison establishing judicial review is: "It is emphatically the province and duty of the judicial department to say what the law is". Chief Justice John Marshall wrote this, asserting the Supreme Court's power to interpret laws and declare them unconstitutional, solidifying the judiciary's role in the American system of government,.
What was the key quote from Marbury v. Madison?
“A Law repugnant to the Constitution is void.” With these words written by Chief Justice Marshall, the Supreme Court for the first time declared unconstitutional a law passed by Congress and signed by the President.
What does Marbury v. Madison say?
Congress did not have power to modify the Constitution through regular legislation because Supremacy Clause places the Constitution before the laws. In so holding, Marshall established the principle of judicial review, i.e., the power to declare a law unconstitutional.
What was John Marshall Harlan's famous quote?
Our constitution is color-blind, and neither knows nor tolerates classes among citizens. In respect of civil rights, all citizens are equal before the law. The humblest is the peer of the most powerful.
What did Marshall say in Marbury v. Madison?
It is emphatically the province and duty of the judicial department to say what the law is. — Marbury, 5 U.S. at 177. Marshall reasoned that the Constitution places limits on the American government's powers, and that those limits would be meaningless unless they were subject to judicial review and enforcement.
Marbury vs. Madison: What Was the Case About? | History
What did Jefferson say about Marbury v. Madison?
I have long wished for a proper occasion to have the gratuitous opinion in Marbury v. Madison brought before the public & denounced as not law: & I think the present a fortunate one because it occupies such a place in the public attention.
What is the duty to say what the law is?
I.
Marbury v. Madison holds that it is "emphatically the province and duty of the judicial department to say what the law is."'1 4 The Court does not permit the executive to interpret ambiguous constitutional provisions as it sees fit.
What is the most famous quote about justice?
"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.
What was General Marshall's quote?
After several years of ill health, Marshall died in October 1959 at the age of 78 and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery where his words, “The only way human beings can win a war is to prevent it,” are immortalized. Other Marshall quotes of note: “Military power wins battles, but spiritual power wins wars.”
What is the best military quote?
There's no single "best" military quote, as it depends on what resonates, but popular choices highlight duty, bravery, leadership, and sacrifice, like General Patton's "Make the mind run the body," Churchill's tribute to the few for the many, G.K. Chesterton's idea that soldiers fight for what's behind them, or Sun Tzu's wisdom on knowing the enemy and yourself. Other powerful quotes focus on the harsh reality of war, such as Robert E. Lee's "It is well that war is so terrible," or the poignant Jeff Miller quote about leaving no veteran behind.
What are the three questions in Marbury v. Madison?
Marshall broke the case down into three questions: Was Marbury entitled to the judicial commission? Did the law provide him with a “remedy” (a way to get the commission)? Was the appropriate remedy a writ of mandamus from the Supreme Court?
How to cite Marbury v. Madison?
When citing Supreme Court cases from 1790-1874 it is appropriate to cite to the individual reporter from whom the case originated. For example, Marbury v. Madison, 5 U.S. (1 Cranch) 137 (1803). Cranch refers to the nominative reporter put together by William Cranch from 1801-1815.
Could Marbury v. Madison be overturned?
By the same token, it limited the Supreme Court to a court of appeals with respect to writs of mandamus and not as a court with original jurisdiction on the matter. Marbury v. Madison, like any other Supreme Court case, is subject to being overturned either by the Supreme Court, or by amendment to the constitution.
What is the main point of Marbury v. Madison?
There was even some question of whether a federal law could still be enforced if it did violate the Constitution. Marbury v. Madison resolved the question of judicial review – and expanded the role of the Supreme Court.
What was James Madison's famous quote?
“The purpose of separation of church and state is to keep forever from these shores the ceaseless strife that has soaked the soil of Europe with blood for centuries.” “The advancement and diffusion of knowledge is the only guardian of true liberty.” “If men were angels, no government would be necessary.”
What is Section 13 of the judiciary Act?
Section 13 of the Judiciary Act of 1789 authorized the Supreme Court “to issue writs of prohibition to the district courts, when proceeding as courts of admiralty and maritime jurisdiction, and writs of mandamus, in cases warranted by the principles and usages of law, to any courts appointed, or persons holding office, ...
What was Marshall Field's famous quote?
Right or wrong, the customer is always right. Give the lady what she wants! Goodwill is the only asset that competition cannot undersell or destroy.
What is the most famous quote about leadership?
"Leadership is the art of getting someone else to do something you want done because he wants to do it." -Dwight D. Eisenhower.
What was Peter Marshall's famous quote?
Small deeds done are better than great deeds planned. The use of the right word, the exact word, is the difference between a pencil with a sharp point and a thick crayon. Lord, where we are wrong, make us willing to change; where we are right, make us easy to live with.
Which is the most powerful quote?
There's no single "most powerful" quote, as impact is subjective, but popular choices often focus on personal growth, action, and resilience, like Mahatma Gandhi's "Be the change you wish to see in the world", Maya Angelou's "Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better," or Winston Churchill's "If you are going through hell, keep going," highlighting transformation, courage, and enduring hardship.
What was Ruth Ginsburg's famous quote?
“Fight for the things that you care about. But do it in a way that will lead others to join you.”
When law fails quotes?
When the law fails to serve us, we must serve as the law.
What is the simple answer to the rule of law?
The rule of law is a principle where everyone, including the government, is accountable to clear, publicly known, and equally enforced laws, ensuring fair processes and independent courts, so no one is above the law, protecting rights, and providing order. It means laws are applied consistently, predictably, and fairly to all, rather than arbitrarily by rulers.
Do lawyers have to tell the truth?
The State Bar Act includes that an attorney has a duty to "employ, for the purpose of maintaining the causes confided to him or her those means only as are consistent with truth." Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code §6068(d).
What does the Constitution say about law?
This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any ...