Truth is a Complete Defense

It doesn’t matter what you are accused of, how bad, how ridiculous; if it is true, the accuser stands firm.

Although it seems obvious, there have been many cases in which someone made an accusation, another sued him or her, and lost, because it proved true.

The most famous case is that of Oscar Wilde.

Oscar Wilde was at the top of society.  A play write, a poet, the author of a novel, a leading commentator on daily events.   He was a society lion, invited every where, befriended by everyone.

One day, when he entered his Club, for high class British gentlemen belong to Clubs, he found a note left by the Marquis of Queensbury, (the one who created those boxing rules) calling him a ‘Sodomite’.

All of Oscar’s friend said he should sue the Marquis for libel.   And Oscar made the mistake of his life.  He sued the Marquis of Queensbury.

Oscar was a homosexual.  Everyone knew it.   Although homosexuality was illegal in the United Kingdom, no one said anything, no one bothered him.   He kept it to himself, (as much as one could) and mingled in society without hindrance.

The reason the Marquis was so annoyed, is because Oscar and his son were lovers.   He found out about it, was totally humiliated and annoyed that his son should be a homosexual.   He left the note to Oscar, not planning on going any further than to express his displeasure at the situation.

Had Oscar tossed the note in the fire, nothing would have happened.   The Marquis would do no more than mumble, and Oscar would go on with his life.

But…

Oscar sued.

And when he sued enough evidence was brought to prove that Oscar Wilde was a homosexual, and so, he lost his case against the Marquis and was promptly arrested and charged with Sodomy.

Oscar was convicted and went into prison, where he spent two years.

When he emerged his life was over.   He was nobody, nothing, and moved to France where he could live in relative secrecy and died at the age of forty six.

Why did he bring the case?   Why did he let his ‘friends’ tell him what to do?   He knew he was a homosexual, did he think there was no evidence?  Did he think the Marquis would cave in?

Too many people think they can ‘get away’ with it; that by attacking they can avoid the truth.   They can create ‘alternative facts’, so that their fantasy world triumphs.   It doesn’t work like that.   If one is accused and is guilty, turning around and suing the accuser leads to a very bad ending.