"It was the rule of Holt, Chief Justice, to make words actionable whenever they sound to the disreputation of the person of whom they were spoken; and this was also Hale's and Twieden's rule; and I think it a very good rule."

“We are not to issue process here as instruments or conduit-pipes, but judicially as Judges: and it will not be an objection to say, that we may award process at all hazards, and let the party grieved come after and plead to it; for we shall never grant an ill-writ, that the party may avoid it in pleading.”

“To excuse himself from damage, must say, was ready always and at all times.”

“Every man that is injured ought to have his recompence.”

“We cannot make a law, we must go according to the law. That must be our rule and direction.”

“Whatever at common law might be amended in civil cases, was at common law amendable in criminal, and so it is at this day.”

“We must not be frighted when a matter of property comes before us by saying it belongs to the Parliament; we must exert the Queen's jurisdiction.”