Matilda told such dreadful lies It made one gasp and stretch one's eyes.

Matilda told such dreadful lies It made one gasp and stretch one's eyes.

And, after all, what is a lie? 'Tis but
The truth in masquerade.

And, after all, what is a lie? 'Tis but
The truth in masquerade.

When I err every one can see it, but not when I lie.
[Ger., Wenn ich irre kann es read more

When I err every one can see it, but not when I lie.
[Ger., Wenn ich irre kann es jeder bemerken; wenn ich luge,
nicht.]

Urge him with truth to frame his fair replies;
And sure he will; for wisdom never lies.

Urge him with truth to frame his fair replies;
And sure he will; for wisdom never lies.

It is hard to tell if a man is telling the truth when you know you would lie if you read more

It is hard to tell if a man is telling the truth when you know you would lie if you were in his place.

But that he wrought so high the specious tale,
As manifested plainly 'twas a lie.
[Lat., Se read more

But that he wrought so high the specious tale,
As manifested plainly 'twas a lie.
[Lat., Se non volea pulir sua scusa tanto,
Che la facesse di menzogna rea.]

So near is falsehood to truth that a wise man would do well not
to trust himself on the read more

So near is falsehood to truth that a wise man would do well not
to trust himself on the narrow edge.
[Lat., Ita enim finitima sunt falsa veris ut in praecipitem locum
non debeat se sapiens committere.]

A man would rather have a hundred lies told of him than one truth which he does not wish should read more

A man would rather have a hundred lies told of him than one truth which he does not wish should be known.

Half the truth is often a great lie.

Half the truth is often a great lie.