Libel Quote by John Wilson
““ Tickler : I hate novelties. Is the prosecution mania about to subside, think you? Now-a-days, every word is said to be actionable. You cannot open your mouth, or put pen to paper, without feeing a libel-lawyer. An Edinburgh Whig, and really some of the London ones seem no better, is an animal without a skin. [The Whigs] have entered into a cowardly compact to prosecute every syllable that shall ever be written against any one of their degraded and slanderous selves.””
About This Quote
Critiques over‑regulation of speech, likening it to a skinless animal vulnerable to attack.
In simple terms: Excessive legal threats stifle free expression.
Key Takeaway
Guard against censorship.
Themes
speech
law
freedom
Mood
cautious
critical
Type
analysis
warning
When to use this quote
- journalism
- academic writing
- online forums
Key Concepts
libel
censorship
political pressure
Questions to Reflect On
- What balances free speech and protection?
- How can writers navigate legal risks?
A Different Perspective
Legal protections vary by jurisdiction.
![“The right hon. Gentleman [Sir Robert Peel] caught the Whigs bathing, and walked away with their clothes.” quote by Benjamin Disraeli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/504/benjamin-disraeli-390_bathing_the-right-hon-gentleman-sir-robert-peel_2005339.jpg)
