It is not often that a person’s life can be summed up in a single word, but for Thurgood Marshall, adversity would suffice. From birth to death, Marshall faced more than his fair share of challenges, yet he emerged as one of the most influential figures in American history. This is his best quotes.
Here are the most known quotes from Thurgood Marshall, and much more.
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None of us got where we are solely by pulling ourselves up by our bootstraps. — Thurgood Marshall
You do what you think is right and let the law catch up. — Thurgood Marshall
The First Amendment serves not only the needs of the polity but also those of the human spirit–a spirit that demands self–expression . — Thurgood Marshall
This is a great country, but fortunately for you, it is not perfect. There is much to be done to bring about complete equality. Remove hunger. Bring reality closer to theory and democratic principles. — Thurgood Marshall
What is the quality of your intent? — Thurgood Marshall
The process of democracy is one of change. Our laws are not frozen into immutable form, they are constantly in the process of revision in response to the needs of a changing society. — Thurgood Marshall
Classifications and distinctions based on race or color have no moral or legal validity in our society. They are contrary to our constitution and laws. — Thurgood Marshall
Customary greeting to Chief Justice Warren E. Burger, What’s shaking, chiefy baby? — Thurgood Marshall
Mere access to the courthouse doors does not by itself assure a proper functioning of the adversary process. — Thurgood Marshall
Lawlessness is lawlessness. Anarchy is anarchy is anarchy. Neither race nor color nor frustration is an excuse for either lawlessness or anarchy. — Thurgood Marshall
It was taken for granted that we had to make something of ourselves. Not much was said about it; it was just in the atmosphere of the home. — Thurgood Marshall
Nothing can be more notorious than the calumnies and invectives with which the wisest measures and most virtuous characters of The United States have been pursued and traduced (by American newspapers). — Thurgood Marshall
In recognizing the humanity of our fellow beings, we pay ourselves the highest tribute. — Thurgood Marshall
Some years ago I said in an opinion that if this country is a melting pot, then either the Afro–Americans didn’t get in the pot or he didn’t get melted down. — Thurgood Marshall
T]he Constitution was a product of its times. [Progressive] — Thurgood Marshall
We can always stick together when we are losing, but tend to find means of breaking up when we’re winning. In Grace under Pressure, by Hastie, 1984. — Thurgood Marshall
The Ku Klux Klan never dies. They just stop wearing sheets because sheets cost too much. — Thurgood Marshall
Where you see wrong or inequality or injustice, speak out, because this is your country. This is your democracy. Make it. Protect it. Pass it on. — Thurgood Marshall
Surely the fact that a uniformed police officer is wearing his hair below his collar will make him no less identifiable as a policeman. — Thurgood Marshall
Truth is more than a mental exercise. — Thurgood Marshall
To protest against injustice is the foundation of all our American democracy. — Thurgood Marshall
The measure of a country’s greatness is its ability to retain compassion in time of crisis. — Thurgood Marshall
Marshall would later say, ‘In recognizing the humanity of our fellow beings, we pay ourselves the highest tribute. — Gilbert King
It is] a historic step toward eliminating the shameful practice of racial discrimination in the selection of juries. — Thurgood Marshall
Today’s Constitution is a realistic document of freedom only because of several corrective amendments. Those amendments speak to a sense of decency and fairness that I and other Blacks cherish. — Thurgood Marshall
Laws not only provide concrete benefits, they can even change the hearts of men–some men, anyhow–for good or evil. — Gilbert King
Deciding not to decide is, of course, among the most important things done by the Supreme Court. It takes a lot of doing, but it can be done. — Thurgood Marshall
We must dissent from the fear. — Thurgood Marshall
Equal means getting the same thing, at the same time and in the same place. — Thurgood Marshall
What’s shaking, chiefy baby? — Thurgood Marshall
A man can make what he wants of himself if he truly believes that he must be ready for hard work and many heartbreaks. — Thurgood Marshall
My father had a flat rule. He believed that every man’s house was his castle. He had a flat rule: no man could come in his house without his permission. — Thurgood Marshall
Our Constitution is the envy of the world, as it should be for it is the grand design of the finest nation on earth. — Thurgood Marshall
A lawyer’s either a social engineer or he’s a parasite on society. — Gilbert King
Our whole constitutional heritage rebels at the thought of giving government the power to control men’s minds. — Thurgood Marshall
I have a lifetime appointment and I intend to serve it. I expect to die at 110, shot by a jealous husband. — Thurgood Marshall
We cannot play ostrich. Democracy just cannot flourish amid fear. Liberty cannot bloom amid hate. Justice cannot take root amid rage. America must get to work. — Thurgood Marshall
I’m the world’s original gradualist. I just think ninety–odd years is gradual enough. — Thurgood Marshall
Sometimes history takes things into its own hands. — Thurgood Marshall
History teaches that grave threats to liberty often come in times of urgency, when constitutional rights seem too extravagant to endure. — Thurgood Marshall
Each of you, as an individual, must pick your own goals. Listen to others, but do not become a blind follower. — Thurgood Marshall
Ending racial discrimination in jury selection can be accomplished only by eliminating peremptory challenges entirely. — Thurgood Marshall
Though he faced many challenges in his life, Thurgood Marshall remained an optimist and used his words to empower others. His speeches and quotes are still inspiring today. We hope these quotes have motivated you to take action and learn more about what you can do to make a difference in the world. If you’re looking for ways to get started, check out our courses page where we offer free resources that can help you make a positive impact in your community.
