Abstract

Minority Report
Hitchens, Christopher | July 30, 1990 issue

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When English lexicographer, writer and critic Samuel Johnson had completed his great lexicography of the English language, he was congratulated on all sides. One piece of approbation came to him from two elderly ladies, who praised the good doctor for not including any indecent words. He floored them by replying that he was amused to see that they knew what to look for. This has always been the essential absurdity of "moral," as opposed to "political," censorship: If the stuff does indeed have a tendency to deprave and corrupt, why then the most depraved and corrupt person must be the censor who keeps a vigilant eye upon it.

See Also:

JOHNSON, Samuel, 1709-1784; LEXICOGRAPHERS; LEXICOGRAPHY; ENGLISH language; CENSORSHIP
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