Censor, n. An officer of certain governments, employed to supress the works of genius. Among the Romans the censor was an inspector of public morals, but the public morals of modern nations will not bear inspection.

Summary

This quote satirically highlights the role of censorship in certain governments. It suggests that historically, censors were responsible for maintaining public morals, but in contemporary society, a true inspection of public morals is unlikely due to their questionable state. The quote implies that censorship often suppresses works of genius, indicating a criticism of censorship's potential to stifle freedom of expression and hinder societal progress. It highlights the stark contrast between the idealistic purpose of censors and the realities of modern censorship.

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