“Courts are the mere instruments of the law, and can will nothing. When they are said to exercise a discretion, it is a mere legal discretion, a discretion to be exercised in discerning the course prescribed by law; and, when that is discerned, it is the duty of the Court to follow it. Judicial power is never exericised for the purpose of giving effect to the will of the Judge; always for the purpose of giving effect to the will of the Legislature; or, in other words, to the will of the law.”

— John Marshall

Osborn v. Bank of the United States, 22 U.S. (9 Wheaton) 738, 866 (1824)

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John Marshall 41

fourth Chief Justice of the United States 1755–1835

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