Accounts Quote by Charles Caleb Colton
“There are many who say more than the truth on some occasions, and balance the account with their consciences by saying less than the truth on others. But the fact is that they are in both instances as fraudulant as he would be that exacted more than his due from his debtors, and paid less than their due to his creditors.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Miscellanies, 1820
People often lie by exaggerating or withholding truth, making them equally deceitful in both cases.
In simple terms: People lie by over‑ or under‑telling truth.
Key Takeaway
Beware both exaggeration and omission.
Themes
honesty
deception
integrity
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
ethical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal relationships
- legal testimony
- business negotiations
- political speeches
Key Concepts
ethics
trust
communication
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you tend to over‑share or under‑share truth?
- How does each form of deceit affect relationships?
A Different Perspective
Exaggeration may be socially tolerated, but it still erodes trust.
![“If you call [the synagogue] a brothel, a den of vice, the devil's refuge, Satan's fortress, a place to deprave the soul, an abyss of every conceivable disaster or whatever else you will, you are still saying less than it deserves.” quote by St. Jerome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/91e/st-jerome-3227_abyss_if-you-call-the-synagogue-a-brothel-a-de_428582.jpg)
