Lewis F. Powell Jr. Quotes

If we are to keep our democracy, there must be one commandment: Thou shalt not ration justice.

If we are to keep our democracy, there must be one commandment: 'Thou shalt not ration justice.'

At the end of the day, the law is the same for the Prime Minister or a common man of India.

Justice is the bread of the nation; it is always hungry for it.

Every citizen, regardless of his race, creed, or color, is entitled to equal justice.

No man is above the law, and no man is below it.

Big guy and little guy, it should make no difference. The rule of law demands neutrality.

It is a different world and they [the Supreme Court] should speak for justice, not prejudice.... I seek justice, not in some distant tomorrow, not in some study commission, but now while I Iive.

Justice Lewis Powell spoke for all of us when he said: Equal justice under law is perhaps the most inspiring idea of our society. It is one of the ends for which our entire legal system exists.

If the law doesn't apply equally to everybody, then you don't really have a system of law.

When I was a prosecutor in Kansas City, my job was to fight for justice and safety for all citizens in my community. Equal access to justice under the law is an American value embedded in the fabric of our legal and political system - the idea that anybody, powerful or not, can have their day in court.

The state of law is equal for all people. It cannot depend on electoral politics.

If I am not above the law, nobody in this country can then claim to be above the law.

The court that serves America should reflect America.

The spirit, the intent, the purpose of our Constitution is to secure equal and exact justice for all men.

The most sacred of the duties of a government [is] to do equal and impartial justice to all its citizens.

Equal justice under the law, even if it's your mother. That was a point of admiration in our household. It was drilled into me.

This country does not punish its political enemies. What this country ensures is that no one is above the law.

The keystone to justice is the belief that the legal system treats all fairly.

That is the definition of equal justice under law: everyone gets a fair shot, everyone pays their fair share, and everyone plays by the same set of rules.

Will a nominee embrace and uphold the essential meaning of the four words inscribed above the entrance of the Supreme Court building: Equal justice under law?

We cannot live in peace without Law. And though law cannot be perfect, it may be just if it is written in ignorance of the identity of the claimants and applied equally to all. Then it is a possession not only of the claimants but of the society, which may now base its actions upon a reasonable assumption of the law?s treatment.

I know that my race must change. We cannot hold our own with the white men as we are. We only ask an even chance to live as other men live. We ask to be recognized as men. We ask that the same law shall work alike on all men. If an Indian breaks the law, punish him by the law. If a white man breaks the law, punish him also.

Everyone should be respected by the law, and everyone should respect the law.