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About this quote

What does it mean?
The author criticizes the press for repeating falsehoods until they have no more tricks to play.
In plain terms
The press has repeated so many lies and tricks that they have run out of content.
What can you take from it?
Persistent falsehoods eventually exhaust the credibility of the source.

Where it applies

  • media criticism
  • journalism
  • public opinion

Putting it to work

  • verify sources
  • avoid repetitive propaganda

Questions to consider

  • When does propaganda lose power?
  • How do you spot lies?

Another view

It assumes the press has reached its limit, which may not be true.

More from William Cobbett

  1. Nothing is so well calculated to produce a death-like torpor in the country as an extended system of taxation and a great national debt.

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  2. It is no small mischief to a boy, that many of the best years of his life should be devoted to the learning of what can never be of any real use to any human b…

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  3. I began my editorial career with the presidency of Mr. Adams, and my principal object was to render his administration all the assistance in my power. I flatte…

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