Slanderers Are Contemptible Creatures Akin To Venomous Snakes

Libel and slander are both forms of defamation, which involve making false statements that damage a person's reputation. Libel is defamation that is written or broadcast, such as in a newspaper, online, or on television. Slander is defamation that is spoken. It is a false statement told to others. Both libel and slander can be the basis for a civil defamation lawsuit. 

I found the article below in the Russian River Flag newspaper published on April 2, 1874. I found it interesting simply because the person writing the article viewed slanderous individuals as most folks did back in the day -- as contemptible, low-character, snakes. Yes, like how they are viewed today.

Read it, and see if you come to the same conclusion. 

Slander

Slander, says an old proverb, is the revenge of a coward. He who uses it will find it a two-edged sword, for though it may wound one to whom it is applied, yet it will finally prove more destructive to the person wielding it. Slander is the offspring of a vicious, envious mind, the poisonous expression of those who are strangers to honor, truth, and justice; it should, therefore, be treated by all with the contempt it merits. 

Those who allow this vice to become a habit are pessimists of the worst sort; mankind is to them only on aggregation of foes placed on earth for the sole purpose of opposing and annoying them, and beating them in the contest of life; hence they exhale their venom on every occasion, hoping that some of it will prove effectual and accomplish the purpose for which it was ejected. 

The purest in the world cannot escape the voice of slander, for its upas-like breath permeates every condition in life, from the lowly to the most exalted. It is rife alike in the professional, as well as in the social circle, and the innocent maiden is no more apt to be free from its sting than the man of the world. The ablest soldiers, the most subtle statesmen, the boldest navigators, and even the most exemplary professors and teachers of the Gospel, have been subjected to the slanderer's venom; so it would seem the more exalted the position, the more actively it is attacked by this social curse. 

In fact, it is proverbial that the more successful and distinguished one becomes, the more he is assailed by the envious; for the latter, with their jaundiced minds, envy all who tower above them, so they try to pull the exalted from the high position which they cannot attain themselves. Such being the purpose of those addicted to the habit of vilifying their more successful fellow beings, their assertions should be treated with contumely by all persons who are imbued with a sense of truth and honor. 

Similes are not required to describe these vilifyers, for one can detect them by every mode of expression. When you hear a politician speak of a rival in discourteous tones, giving him no attributes but the basest; when you hear a man speak slightingly of a young lady, or a professional man speak in terms of disrespect of another in the same profession, because both do not agree in every detail—they belong to the low order of the slanderer, and their expressions are merely the utterances of base, envious minds, and they are therefore devoid of a sense of propriety, let alone honor. 

While it is necessary that scientific men should keep their profession free of charlatans, yet they should adopt the dignified manner of gentlemen, and not the plaintive, scolding tone of a costermonger. If ladies traduce each other without any apparent cause, they are in the category of the slanderer and they should be avoided; for one who will vilify another from mere prejudice is apt to speak in the same tone of even the dearest friend, for the slanderer is guarded by no higher principle than more selfish pleasure. 

You know, for instance, a lady with a nez retrousse [a turned-up nose], as our Gallic friends term it, and another with a beautiful Grecian or aquiline appendage of the same sort. Now speak to the former of the beautiful nasal outlines of the latter, and in nine cases out of ten, she will say: “Oh yes, she has a good nose, but she has a most horrible mouth." This proves that she lacks a sense of truth and justice, and therefore, no attention should be paid to her remarks, for their cause is evident. 

The pure, the honorable, are never addicted to this habit, for they have too much dignity of character to allow themselves to indulge in a vice so base and unwarrantable. All persons, then, should avoid slanderers as they would avoid the venom of a serpent, for they are the most contemptible creatures in the world and the curse of society.

-- end of Russian River Flag newspaper 1874 article.

There are reasons why those who libel and slander others are seen as being similar in nature and character to cold-blooded snakes. Slander can inflict significant harm on folks. That includes damage to reputation, emotional distress, and, in some cases, financial losses. It can lead to the loss of clients, missed opportunities, and even job termination due to the spread of false statements. Furthermore, the lies that a slanderer spreads can cause lasting damage to personal and working relationships.

Slander can severely damage a person's reputation, particularly if the false statements are widely circulated. False statements about a person's abilities, ethics, or behavior can undermine their credibility and professional standing while also leading to a decrease in one's social standing.

Slanderous statements can also damage personal relationships with friends, family, and colleagues. The spread of false information can create division and mistrust within social circles and professional networks. Speaking from my own experience with people spreading lies, experiencing slander is absolutely no fun. It can cause significant emotional distress, including anxiety, depression, and distrust. 

In some cases, slander can create financial losses, such as lead to job loss,, loss of income missed promotions, and missed business opportunities. If a business's reputation is tarnished by slander, it can result in a decline in customers and sales. It can even lead to difficulty finding new employment.

Of course, there are also the costs associated with repairing one's reputation. Again, from my own experience, I've spent thousands of dollars on lawsuits to fight false accusations in the past. And when accusations are shown not to be true, most slanderers, those low-character individuals, don't even have the class to apologize for falsely accusing someone. 

And frankly speaking, that in itself proves that those low-character individuals are morally weak people who lack any sort of personal integrity. They are dishonest and essentially the complete opposite of people with good morals and ethics. They enjoy being liars. They enjoy being fakes. They relish intentionally hurting others, not respecting others, and believe they are never wrong. There is nothing good about them.

 

So what do you think? Have things changed? Have things changed that much at all? Are slanderous individuals still seen as venomous snakes with no redeeming qualities who should be avoided? Should they still be seen as some of the "most contemptible creatures in the world and the curse of society"?

I think so. Just as they were seen in 1874, I believe slanderous individuals are contemptible creatures akin to venomous snakes. They are just low-character lowlifes that we need to avoid. They're not worth spit. 

Tom Correa