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There’s an old Northlands saying that goes like this: When…

“There’s an old Northlands saying that goes like this: When lies don’t help. try telling the truth. Loki knew it well, of course, but preferred his own version, which was: When lies don’t help, tell better lies.” quote by Joanne Harris
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““There’s an old Northlands saying that goes like this: When lies don’t help. try telling the truth. Loki knew it well, of course, but preferred his own version, which was: When lies don’t help, tell better lies.””

Joanne Harris

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The saying suggests that when lies fail, one should aim for better lies, highlighting cleverness over honesty.

In simple terms: When lies fail, tell better lies.

Key Takeaway

Choose clever solutions over falsehoods.

Themes

ethics deception creativity

Mood

witty cautionary

Type

literary philosophical

When to use this quote

  • politics
  • marketing
  • personal conflict
  • creative writing

Key Concepts

moral relativism strategic thinking storytelling

Questions to Reflect On

  • When is a lie justified?
  • What are the costs of clever deception?
A Different Perspective

Deception erodes trust over time.

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