Quote#Wisdom
We have no more right to decline the exercise of jurisdiction which…
Quote byJohn Marshall · 1755–1835
Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: Cohens v. Virginia, 19 U.S. (6 Wheaton) 264, 387 (1821); with this sentence Marshall held that the United States Supreme Court has appellate jurisdiction to hear appeals from a state court in a case between a state and its own citizens, even if the case involved interpretation of a federal statute..
English (original)
We have no more right to decline the exercise of jurisdiction which is given, than to usurp that which is not given. The one or the other would be treason to the constitution.
— John Marshall
More from John Marshall
It is the peculiar province of the legislature to prescribe general rules for the government of society; the application of those rules to individuals in society would seem to be the duty of other departments.
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A constitution is framed for ages to come, and is designed to approach immortality as nearly as human institutions can approach it.
The people made the Constitution, and the people can unmake it. It is the creature of their own will, and lives only by their will.
The law does not expect a man to be prepared to defend every act of his life which may be suddenly and without notice alleged against him.
is now universally admitted. But the question respecting the extent of the powers actually granted, is perpetually arising, and will probably continue to arise, as long as our system shall exist.