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.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Marshall Court Opinion, 1819
Legal rights that arise from contracts are protected permanently; a later repeal cannot strip those vested rights.
In simple terms: Contractual rights are secure even if the law changes later.
Respect and uphold contractual rights despite legislative shifts.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- business agreements
- property transactions
- employment contracts
- government regulation
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- Should there be exceptions for public interest?
- How to balance stability with flexibility?
If contracts are too rigid, they may hinder necessary reforms.