A little inaccuracy sometimes saves a lot of explanations.

A little inaccuracy sometimes saves a lot of explanations.

You lie--under a mistake--
For this is the most civil sort of lie
That can be given read more

You lie--under a mistake--
For this is the most civil sort of lie
That can be given to a man's face, I now
Say what I think.

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.]

Liars are always most disposed to swear.
[It., A giurar presti i mentitor son sempre.]

Liars are always most disposed to swear.
[It., A giurar presti i mentitor son sempre.]

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.]

A liar is not believed even though he tell the truth.
[Lat., Mendaci homini ne verum quidem dicenti credere read more

A liar is not believed even though he tell the truth.
[Lat., Mendaci homini ne verum quidem dicenti credere solemus.]

The truth that survives is simply the lie that is pleasantest to believe.

The truth that survives is simply the lie that is pleasantest to believe.

The lie is a condition of life.

The lie is a condition of life.

It takes a wise man to handle a lie. A fool had better remain honest.

It takes a wise man to handle a lie. A fool had better remain honest.