Absolute Quote by John Marshall
“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, within the powers conferred upon them, their acts must be considered as the acts of the people.”
About This Quote
Source Treat: Marbury v. Madison, 1803
Legal principle that rights granted under a contract remain protected even if the underlying law is later repealed, and actions taken by authorized agents represent the people.
In simple terms: Rights from contracts survive law repeal; agents act for the people.
Key Takeaway
Protect contractual rights; recognize agency authority.
Themes
law
rights
contracts
government
agency
Mood
serious
analytical
Type
legal
political
interpretive
When to use this quote
- legislative repeal
- court enforcement
- policy making
- public administration
Key Concepts
contractual rights
sovereignty
legal continuity
Questions to Reflect On
- How should governments handle contracts when laws change?
- What mechanisms ensure agents truly represent the people?
A Different Perspective
Rights may be limited by subsequent constitutional constraints.
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