--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Why, I don't exactly know about perjury…" description: "\"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 fic..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1d9/charles-dickens-34_dear_why-i-don-t-exactly-know-about-perjury-m_2449992.jpg" --- # Why, I don't exactly know about perjury, my dear sir,"… ![“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.” quote by Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1d9/charles-dickens-34_dear_why-i-don-t-exactly-know-about-perjury-m_2449992.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1d9/charles-dickens-34_dear_why-i-don-t-exactly-know-about-perjury-m_2449992.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1d9/charles-dickens-34_dear_why-i-don-t-exactly-know-about-perjury-m_2449992.jpg) > “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.” [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. 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. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Dear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dear/) [Deception](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deception/) [Fiction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fiction/) [Funny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/funny/) [Gentleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gentleman/) [Gentleman Harsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gentleman-harsh-562255/) [Harsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/harsh/) [Harsh Word](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/harsh-word-562256/) [Harsh words](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/harsh-words/) [Humorous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humorous/) [Know Perjury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/know-perjury-562254/) [Knows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knows/) [Littles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/littles/) [Perjury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/perjury/) [Perjury Dear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/perjury-dear-562253/) ## Related quotes > [A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solomon/a-gentle-answer-turns-away-wrath-but-a-harsh-word-stirs-up-anger/) [Solomon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solomon/) > [When you're a little kid, your heart is open and tender and a harsh word can go straight in and become part of your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garrison-keillor/when-you-re-a-little-kid-your-heart-is-open-and-tender-and-a-harsh/) [Garrison Keillor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garrison-keillor/) > [Exploitation is a harsh word, I know that, but on a certain level, to me that is the central Hollywood story.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bret-easton-ellis/exploitation-is-a-harsh-word-i-know-that-but-on-a-certain-level-to-me/) [Bret Easton Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bret-easton-ellis/) > [What lawsuits grow out of the graves of rich men, every day; sowing perjury, hatred, and lies among near kindred, where there should be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/what-lawsuits-grow-out-of-the-graves-of-rich-men-every-day-sowing/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) > [Death is a harsh word to say,to think,to read,we all will not live forever no one will,Heaven is happy place,were people want to go,We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melchor-lim/death-is-a-harsh-word-to-say-to-think-to-read-we-all-will-not-live/) [Melchor Lim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melchor-lim/) > [A gentle answer turns wrath away,.. but a harsh word stir up anger..](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christianquotes/a-gentle-answer-turns-wrath-away-but-a-harsh-word-stir-up-anger/) [ChristianQuotes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christianquotes/) > [“A harsh word breaks the heart. 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