But in reality there is another light, in which these modern critics may, with great justice and propriety, be seen; and this is that of a common
slanderer. If a person who prys into the characters of others, with no other design but to discover their faults, and to publish them to the world, deserves the title of a
slanderer of the reputations of men, why should not a critic, who reads with the same malevolent view, be as properly stiled the
slanderer of the reputation of books?
"But you surely don't expect me to go around shooting every
slanderer in the Solomons that opens his mouth?" he demanded gloomily.
So great was it, that in a voice inarticulate with rage, with a stammering tongue, and eyes that flashed living fire, he exclaimed, "Rascally clown, boorish, insolent, and ignorant, ill-spoken, foul-mouthed, impudent backbiter and
slanderer! Hast thou dared to utter such words in my presence and in that of these illustrious ladies?
715-716) Do not get a name either as lavish or as churlish; as a friend of rogues or as a
slanderer of good men.
Bulstrode felt a shuddering nausea, and did not speak, but was considering diligently whether he should not leave Raffles to do as he would, and simply defy him as a
slanderer. The man would soon show himself disreputable enough to make people disbelieve him.
Geoffrey Delamayn, whose fair fame had been assailed (it was needless, the correspondent added in parenthesis, to say how groundlessly), was understood to have expressed, not only the indignation natural under the circumstances but also his extreme regret at not finding himself in a position to aid Captain Newenden's efforts to bring the anonymous
slanderer to justice.
OEDIPUS Vile
slanderer, thou blurtest forth these taunts, And think'st forsooth as seer to go scot free.
MY child died, before his father's eyes, a far more agonising and painful death than that young
slanderer of his sister's worth is meeting while I speak.
Diomed all undaunted answered, "Archer, you who without your bow are nothing,
slanderer and seducer, if you were to be tried in single combat fighting in full armour, your bow and your arrows would serve you in little stead.
a
slanderer! Ought I to treat him as a nephew, the son of my sister Anisia?"
"And Pyotr Petrovitch is a contemptible
slanderer," Dounia snapped out, suddenly.
"It seems to me that if what he says is false, the proper name for it is calumny, defamation of character; and such a
slanderer deserves the thrashing."