We should distrust any enterprise that requires new clothes.
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–62) American Philosopher
The crafty person is always in danger; and when they think they walk in the dark, all their pretenses are transparent.
—John Tillotson
I don’t mind lying, but I hate inaccuracy.
—Samuel Butler
A liar begins with making falsehood appear like truth, and ends with making truth itself appear like falsehood.
—William Shenstone (1714–63) British Poet, Landscape Gardener
The truth that survives is simply the lie that is pleasantest to believe.
—H. L. Mencken (1880–1956) American Journalist, Literary Critic
Telling lies is a fault in a boy, an art in a lover, an accomplishment in a bachelor, and second-nature in a married man.
—Helen Rowland (1875–1950) American Journalist, Humorist
Every violation of truth is not only a sort of suicide in the liar, but is a stab at the health of human society.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
When you rationalize, you do just that. You make rational lies.
—Unknown
Don’t part with your illusions. When they are gone you may still exist, but you have ceased to live.
—Mark Twain (1835–1910) American Humorist
A lie can run around the world six times while the truth is still trying to put on its pants.
—Mark Twain (1835–1910) American Humorist
Hateful to me as the gates of Hades is that man who hides one thing in his heart and speaks another.
—Homer (751–651 BCE) Ancient Greek Poet
The clever combatant imposes his will on the enemy, but does not allow the enemy’s will to be imposed on him.
—Sun Tzu (fl.c.544–496 BCE) Chinese General, Military Theorist
The craftiest trickery are too short and ragged a cloak to cover a bad heart.
—Johann Kaspar Lavater (1741–1801) Swiss Theologian, Poet
Lying has a kind of respect and reverence with it. We pay a person the compliment of acknowledging his superiority whenever we lie to him.
—Samuel Butler
Mendacity is a system that we live in. Liquor is one way out an death’s the other.
—Tennessee Williams (1911–83) American Playwright
A great leader molds public opinion, a wise leader listens to it.
—Unknown
The liar at any rate recognizes that recreation, not instruction, is the aim of conversation, and is a far more civilized being than the blockhead who loudly expresses his disbelief in a story which is told simply for the amusement of the company.
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish Poet, Playwright
It is twice the pleasure to deceive the deceiver.
—Jean de La Fontaine (1621–95) French Poet, Short Story Writer
The art of pleasing is the art of deception.
—Luc de Clapiers, marquis de Vauvenargues (1715–47) French Moralist, Essayist, Writer
So near is falsehood to truth that a wise man would do well not to trust himself on the narrow edge.
—Cicero (106BCE–43BCE) Roman Philosopher, Orator, Politician, Lawyer
I am a lie who always speaks the truth.
—Jean Cocteau (1889–1963) French Poet, Playwright, Film Director
Lying is not only excusable; it is not only innocent; it is, above all, necessary and unavoidable. Without the ameliorations that it offers, life would become a mere syllogism and hence too metallic to be borne.
—H. L. Mencken (1880–1956) American Journalist, Literary Critic
When the missionaries came to Africa they had the Bible and we had the land. They said Let us pray. We closed our eyes. When we opened them we had the Bible and they had the land.
—Desmond Tutu (b.1931) South African Clergyman
There is nothing in the world more shameful than establishing one’s self on lies and fables.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
Truth is confirmed by inspection and delay; falsehood by haste and uncertainty.
—Tacitus (56–117) Roman Orator, Historian
We are never deceived; we deceive ourselves.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
A lie with a purpose is one of the worst kind, and the most profitable.
—Finley Peter Dunne (1867–1936) American Author, Writer, Humorist
One can be absolutely truthful and sincere even though admittedly the most outrageous liar. Fiction and invention are of the very fabric of life.
—Henry Miller (1891–1980) American Novelist
Men are able to trust one another, knowing the exact degree of dishonesty they are entitled to expect.
—Stephen Leacock (1869–1944) Canadian Humorist, Writer
Deceive the rich and powerful if you will, but don’t insult them.
—Japanese Proverb
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