He who excuses himself accuses himself.

Explanation

An unsolicited defense or excuse raises suspicion of guilt — one who volunteers justifications before being accused invites the inference that he knows his conduct requires justification.

Where this applies

• A CEO abruptly issues a press release denying any financial irregularities before anyone has publicly accused the company, and investigators treat the unsolicited denial as a red flag.
• A suspect volunteers a detailed alibi to police before being questioned about the crime, and the detective notes that unprompted excuses often indicate guilty knowledge.
• A contractor sends a long letter explaining why a building defect is not his fault before the homeowner has even complained, and the homeowner's attorney treats the preemptive excuse as evidence of awareness.

See also

• 9.3.1 All things are presumed to have been done rightly and in due form.