The law of England is a law of liberty, and, consistently with this liberty, we have not what is called an imprimatur (let it be printed); there is no such preliminary licence necessary. But if a man publish a paper, he is exposed to the penal consequences, as he is in every other act, if it be illegal." - Meaning and context.">
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R. v. Cobbett (1804), 29 How. St. Tr. 49.
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The law of England is a law of liberty, and, consistently with this liberty, we have not what is called an imprimatur (let it be printed); there is no such preliminary licence necessary. But if a man publish a paper, he is exposed to the penal consequences, as he is in every other act, if it be illegal.

— Edward Law, 1st Baron Ellenborough

What It Means

This is a placeholder explanation generated by the low-overhead model. It interprets "The law of England is a law of liberty, and, consistently with this liberty, we have not what is called an imprimatur (let it be printed); there is no such preliminary licence necessary. But if a man publish a paper, he is exposed to the penal consequences, as he is in every other act, if it be illegal." in the context of "R. v. Cobbett (1804), 29 How. St. Tr. 49." to mean that wisdom is timeless.

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Source: Wikiquote: "Edward Law, 1st Baron Ellenborough" (Quotes) The 'What it means' explanation text was generated by Google Gemini Flash (accessed January 18, 2026). https://gemini.google.com/app

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About Edward Law, 1st Baron Ellenborough

Edward Law, 1st Baron Ellenborough, PC, KC (16 November 1750 – 13 December 1818) was an English judge. After serving as a Member of Parliament and Attorney General, he became Lord Chief Justice.