The interpretation of the laws is the proper and peculiar…
“The interpretation of the laws is the proper and peculiar province of the courts. A constitution is, in fact, and must be regarded by the judges, as fundamental law. It therefore belongs to them to ascertain its meaning, as well as the meaning of any particular act proceeding from the legislative body. If there should happen to be an irreconcilable variance between the two, that which has the superior obligation and validity ought, of course, to be preferred; or, in other words, the Constitution ought to be preferred to the statute, the intention of the people to the intention of their agents.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Judges must interpret laws, giving the Constitution priority over statutes and legislative intent.
In simple terms: Courts decide law meaning, preferring the Constitution.
Key Takeaway
Respect constitutional hierarchy in legal decisions.
Themes
law
constitution
judicial authority
legislative intent
Mood
serious
analytical
Type
legal
philosophical
When to use this quote
- court cases
- legislative drafting
- policy analysis
- civil rights disputes
Key Concepts
judicial review
constitutional supremacy
Questions to Reflect On
- How should courts handle outdated statutes?
- When does legislative intent override constitutional text?
A Different Perspective
Statutes may reflect current politics, but constitutional principles remain constant.