John Holt (Lord Chief Justice) Quote

Libelling against a private man is a moral offence; but when it is against a government, it tends to the destruction of it.


Rex v. Beare (1698), 1 Raym. 418. For the antiquity of this notion, see Vinnius, 741, by the law of the twelve tables.


Libelling against a private man is a moral offence; but when it is against a government, it tends to the destruction of it.

Libelling against a private man is a moral offence; but when it is against a government, it tends to the destruction of it.

Libelling against a private man is a moral offence; but when it is against a government, it tends to the destruction of it.

Libelling against a private man is a moral offence; but when it is against a government, it tends to the destruction of it.