Thus, all sane moralists admit that one may sometimes tell…
““Thus, all sane moralists admit that one may sometimes tell a lie; but no sane moralist would approve of telling a little boy to practise telling lies, in case he might one day have to tell a justifiable one.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Moralists accept occasional falsehoods but reject teaching children to lie, emphasizing the importance of integrity over expedient deceit.
In simple terms: Lying is sometimes tolerated but not taught.
Key Takeaway
Teach truth, not deception.
Themes
ethics
education
integrity
truth
parenting
Mood
critical
serious
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- classroom
- parenting
- media
- political discourse
Key Concepts
moral philosophy
child development
social norms
Questions to Reflect On
- What are the long‑term effects of normalizing small lies?
- How can we balance honesty with compassion?
A Different Perspective
Teaching lies may erode trust and moral development.