If a man were to punch me, or otherwise inflict harm upon me by physical means, I am in no position to prevent the injury. There is no such loss of liberty in the taking of offence, which has come about as a combination of the words uttered and the interpretation or significance I place upon them. This is why the law is right to prohibit physical assault but permit the casting of insults. In the case of the former, the incursion on my liberties justifies my recourse to see my offender prosecuted; the attack satisfied his will at the expense of mine. The same cannot be said were I to attempt to
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