Our Constitution is color-blind, and neither knows nor tolerates classes among citizens. In respect of civil rights, all citizens are equal before the law. The humblest is the peer of the most powerful.
John Marshall HarlanRead
The law regards man as man, and takes no account of his surroundings or of his color when his civil rights as guaranteed by the supreme law of the land are involved.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The law treats everyone equally, regardless of their background, when it comes to civil rights.
This quote by John Marshall Harlan emphasizes the principle of equality in the eyes of the law. It asserts that a person's rights should not be influenced by their environment or race, but rather, the law should uphold and protect these rights universally, as laid out by the fundamental legal framework of the country.
Themes
EqualityLawJusticeCivil RightsRaceSupreme Law
In practice
Example use cases
Using this quote during a civil rights seminar to highlight the importance of legal equality.
More from John Marshall Harlan
All quotes →The humblest is the peer of the most powerful.
John Marshall HarlanRead
But in view of the constitution, in the eye of the law, there is in this country no superior, dominant, ruling class of citizens. There is no caste here.
John Marshall HarlanRead
The Constitution is colorblind, and neither knows nor tolerates classes among citizens.
John Marshall HarlanRead
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