Constitution Quote by John Marshall
“A legislative act contrary to the Constitution is not law.”
About This Quote
Source Court Opinion: Marbury v. Madison, 1803
A law that conflicts with the Constitution has no legal authority.
In simple terms: Unconstitutional laws are invalid.
Key Takeaway
Uphold constitutional supremacy.
Themes
law
government
constitution
Mood
serious
analytical
Type
legal
philosophical
When to use this quote
- legislative drafting
- court challenges
- policy making
Key Concepts
legal theory
judicial review
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we enforce constitutional compliance?
- What safeguards exist against unconstitutional laws?
A Different Perspective
Political pressure may ignore constitutional limits.
![“Next came the Patent laws. These began in England in 1624; and, in this country, with the adoption of our constitution. Before then [these?], any man might instantly use what another had invented; so that the inventor had no special advantage from his own invention. The patent system changed this…” quote by Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/449/abraham-lincoln-88_adoption_next-came-the-patent-laws-these-began-in_1828.jpg)
