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.

Dare to be true: nothing can need a lie;
A fault which needs it most, grows two thereby.

Dare to be true: nothing can need a lie;
A fault which needs it most, grows two thereby.

A liar should have a good memory.

A liar should have a good memory.

A liar is always lavish of oaths.
[Fr., Un menteur est toujours prodigue de serments.]

A liar is always lavish of oaths.
[Fr., Un menteur est toujours prodigue de serments.]

Splendidly mendacious.
[Lat., Splendide mendax.]

Splendidly mendacious.
[Lat., Splendide mendax.]

And none speaks false, when there in none to hear.

And none speaks false, when there in none to hear.

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.]

Ask me no questions and I'll tell you no lies.

Ask me no questions and I'll tell you no lies.

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.]