Dear Quote by Charles Dickens
“Why, I don't exactly know about perjury, my dear sir," replied the little gentleman. "Harsh word, my dear sir, very harsh word indeed. It's a legal fiction, my dear sir, nothing more.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: Great Expectations by Charles Dickens, 1861
The speaker dismisses perjury as a harsh, empty legal construct.
In simple terms: Perjury is a harsh legal fiction.
Key Takeaway
Question the seriousness of false testimony.
Themes
law
honesty
social critique
Mood
critical
ironic
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- courtroom testimony
- political rhetoric
- media commentary
Key Concepts
Legal theory
moral philosophy
Questions to Reflect On
- Is perjury ever justified?
- How does language shape legal perception?
A Different Perspective
Legal systems still rely on sworn statements despite flaws.
![“This is harder than it first appears: Try in thine own experience, each; that ye speak not for one whole day unkindly of any; that ye say not a harsh word to any, about any; and see what [such] a day would bring to you . . .” quote by Edgar Cayce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/6c5/edgar-cayce-2201_quote_this-is-harder-than-it-first-appears-try_1425940.jpg)
