2 Raym. Rep. 955.
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Every injury imports a damage, though it does not cost the party one farthing, and it is impossible to prove the contrary; for a damage is not merely pecuniary, but an injury imports a damage, when a man is hereby hindered of his right. As in an action for slanderous words, though a man does not lose a penny by reason of the speaking them, yet he shall have an action. So if a man give another a cuff on the ear, though it cost him nothing, no, not so much as a little diachylon, yet he shall have his action, for it is a personal injury.

— John Holt (Lord Chief Justice)

What It Means

This is a placeholder explanation generated by the low-overhead model. It interprets "Every injury imports a damage, though it does not cost the party one farthing, and it is impossible to prove the contrary; for a damage is not merely pecuniary, but an injury imports a damage, when a man is hereby hindered of his right. As in an action for slanderous words, though a man does not lose a penny by reason of the speaking them, yet he shall have an action. So if a man give another a cuff on the ear, though it cost him nothing, no, not so much as a little diachylon, yet he shall have his action, for it is a personal injury." in the context of "2 Raym. Rep. 955." to mean that wisdom is timeless.

Quote Image
Source: Wikiquote: "John Holt (Lord Chief Justice)" (Quotes, Ashby v. White (1703): Ashby v White is a foundational case in UK constitutional law and English tort law. It concerns the right to vote and misfeasance of a public officer.) The 'What it means' explanation text was generated by Google Gemini Flash (accessed January 18, 2026). https://gemini.google.com/app
John Holt (Lord Chief Justice)

About John Holt (Lord Chief Justice)

John Holt (Lord Chief Justice) (23 December 1642 – 5 March 1710) was an English lawyer and served as Lord Chief Justice of England from 17 April 1689 to his death.