wilde
"Carson—A perverted novel might be a good book?
Wilde—I don’t know what you mean by a “perverted” novel.
C—Then I will suggest Dorian Gray as open to the interpretation of being such a novel?
W—That could only be to brutes and illiterates. The views of Philistines on art are incalculably stupid.
C—An illiterate person reading Dorian Gray might consider it such a novel?
W—The views of illiterates on art are unaccountable. I am concerned only with my view of art. I don’t care twopence what other people think of it."

Wilde being cross-examined by Edward Carson during his libel trial.
Carson actually read aloud large portions of The Picture of Dorian Gray during this cross-examination to support charges brought against Oscar Wilde as someone engaged in “indecent behavior” (a euphemism at the time for homosexuality).