“I will not say that a witness shall not be asked to what may tend to disparage him: that would prevent an investigation into the character of the witness, which may often be of importance to ascertain. I think those questions only should not be allowed to be asked which have a direct and immediate effect to disgrace or disparage the witness.”
Macbride v. Macbride (1805), 4 Esp. 242.
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Richard Arden, 1st Baron Alvanley 8
British judge and politician 1744–1804Related quotes
“It may be that we shall witness scenes surpassing in horror even those of the recent war.”
Foreword p. 9
The Sword or the Cross, Which Should be the Weapon of the Christian Militant? (1921)
Context: Struggles between nations and struggles between classes we shall surely have during the coming decades. All indications point to further wars between nations. The struggle between capital and labor is daily growing in intensity.... It may be that we shall witness scenes surpassing in horror even those of the recent war.

Nicholls v. Dowding and another (1815), 1 Stark. 81.

“I shall endeavor to enliven morality with wit, and to temper wit with morality.”
No. 10 (11 March 1711).
The Spectator (1711–1714)

"Alas, All Human" in Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, June 1979
General sources

“Words are witnesses which often speak louder than documents.”
Introduction
The Age of Revolution (1962)
Context: Words are witnesses which often speak louder than documents. Let us consider a few English words, which were invented or gained their modern meanings, substantially in the period of sixty years with which this volume deals. They are such words as 'industry', 'industrialist', 'factory,' middle class,' 'working class,' and 'socialism.' They include 'aristocracy,' as well as 'railway,' 'liberal' and 'conservative' as political terms, 'nationality,'scientist,' and 'engineer,' 'proletariat,' and (economic) 'crisis'.

1860s, Our Composite Nationality (1869)

“I may be new to this game, but I think I ask the questions.”
At his first Prime Minister's Questions as Leader of the Opposition. http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-east-news/todays-news/2010/10/14/ed-miliband-shines-at-prime-minister-s-questions-61634-27467793/ 14 Oct 2010
2010