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Let the end be legitimate, let it be within the scope of the constitution, and all means which are appropriate, which are plainly adapted to that end, which are not prohibited, but consist with the letter and spirit of the constitution, are constitutional.

— John Marshall McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

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More quotes by John Marshall

Seldom has a battle, in which greater numbers were not engaged, been so important in its consequences as that of Cowpens..

A constitution is framed for ages to come, and is designed to approach immortality as nearly as human institutions can approach it.

The people made the Constitution, and the people can unmake it. It is the creature of their own will, and lives only by their will.

We must never forget that it is a constitution we are expounding.

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

The subject is the execution of those great powers on which the welfare of a Nation essentially depends.

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

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Attribution

Quote text and notes from Wikiquote: John Marshall (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source quality and labels are our own summary of what Wikiquote records.