He who tells a lie is not sensible of how great a task he…
“He who tells a lie is not sensible of how great a task he undertakes; for he must be forced to invent twenty more to maintain that one.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Exaggerating a small lie leads to a cascade of larger falsehoods to making truth harder to sustain.
In simple terms: Lies compound quickly.
Key Takeaway
Avoid lying, stay honest.
Themes
honesty
integrity
consequences
Mood
serious
thoughtful
Type
ethical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- politics
- personal relationships
- business negotiations
Key Concepts
ethical behavior
self‑deception
Questions to Reflect On
- What motivates you to tell the truth?
- Can a lie ever be justified?
A Different Perspective
Sometimes truth is inconvenient.