John Marshall

“The corporation is an artificial being, invisible, intangible, and existing only in contemplation of law.”

“The most lively fancy aided by the strongest description cannot equal the reality of the opera.”

“During intervals of humanity, some disposition has been manifested to permit the return of those who have never offended, who have been banished by a terror which the government itself has r...”

“The very essence of civil liberty certainly consists in the right of every individual to claim the protection of the laws, whenever he receives an injury. One of the first duties of governme...”

“When a law is in its nature a contract, when absolute rights have vested under that contract, a repeal of the law cannot divest those rights. The people can act only by their agents and, wit...”

“I was born on the 24th of September 1755 in the county of Fauquier, at that time one of the frontier counties of Virginia. My father possessed scarcely any fortune and had received a very li...”

“Paris presents one incessant round of amusement & dissipation but very little, I believe - even for its inhabitants of that society - which interests the heart. Every day, you may see someth...”

“When a law is in its nature a contract, when absolute rights have vested under that contract, a repeal of the law cannot divest those rights.”

“The French Revolution will be found to have had great influence on the strength of parties, and on the subsequent political transactions of the United States.”

“My father superintended the English part of my education, and to his care I am indebted for anything valuable which I may have acquired in my youth. He was my only intelligent companion, and...”

“I have always believed that national character... depends more on the female part of society than is generally imagined. Precepts from the lips of a beloved mother... sink deep in the heart,...”

“The constitution controls any legislative act repugnant to it.”

“The constitution is either a superior paramount law, unchangeable by ordinary means, or it is on a level with ordinary legislative acts, alterable when the legislature shall please to alter...”