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Let a man be ne'er so wise, he may be caught with sober…

“Let a man be ne'er so wise, he may be caught with sober lies.” quote by Jonathan Swift
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“Let a man be ne'er so wise, he may be caught with sober lies.”

Jonathan Swift

About This Quote

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

Wise people can be trapped by their own cleverness, leading to deceitful situations.

In simple terms: Even the wise can lie when overthinking.

Key Takeaway

Beware of over‑analysis that breeds falsehood.

Themes

wisdom deception humility

Mood

cautious reflective

Type

philosophical satirical

When to use this quote

  • political discourse
  • personal relationships
  • legal testimony

Key Concepts

satire human folly

Questions to Reflect On

  • When have you over‑complicated a truth?
  • Can honesty be more powerful than cleverness?
A Different Perspective

Cleverness can blind one to simple truths.

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