Deserve Quote by Edward Coke
“Every libel, which is called famosus libellus, is made either against a private man, or against a public person. If it be against a private man, it deserves a severe punishment.”
About This Quote
Source Legal Treatise: Institutes of the Lawes of England, 1628
Libel harms reputations; harsher penalties for private individuals because they lack public protection.
In simple terms: Libel against private people deserves severe punishment.
Key Takeaway
Protect private reputations strongly.
Themes
law
justice
reputation
ethics
Mood
serious
reflective
Type
legal
ethical
When to use this quote
- court cases
- media reporting
- online harassment
- political scandal
Key Concepts
defamation
legal severity
public vs private
Questions to Reflect On
- How should law differentiate libel severity?
- What modern mechanisms protect private reputations?
A Different Perspective
Balancing free speech with protection is complex.
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