"Publish and be damned"
- Duke of Wellington
About this Quote
The expression "Publish and be damned" was notoriously said by the Duke of Wellington in 1831. It was in response to a blackmailer who had actually threatened to publish a compromising letter that the Duke had actually written. The Duke was not scared of the effects of the letter being revealed, therefore he defiantly stated that he would publish it himself. This expression has since become a popular expression of defiance in the face of criticism or scandal. It is a tip that one ought to not hesitate to stand up for what they think in, even if it suggests facing public scrutiny or criticism. The expression is also a tip that a person should not be afraid to take dangers and defend what they believe in, even if it suggests facing public criticism or scandal. In today's world, it is a suggestion that we should not hesitate to speak our minds and defend what we believe in, even if it implies facing public criticism or scandal.
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