--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Better speake truth rudely, then lye…" description: "\"Better speake truth rudely, then lye covertly.\" — George Herbert" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2f3/george-herbert-107_quote_better-speake-truth-rudely-then-lye-cove_1399931.jpg" --- # Better speake truth rudely, then lye covertly. ![“Better speake truth rudely, then lye covertly.” quote by George Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2f3/george-herbert-107_quote_better-speake-truth-rudely-then-lye-cove_1399931.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2f3/george-herbert-107_quote_better-speake-truth-rudely-then-lye-cove_1399931.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2f3/george-herbert-107_quote_better-speake-truth-rudely-then-lye-cove_1399931.jpg) > “Better speake truth rudely, then lye covertly.” [George Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-herbert/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Speaking bluntly is better than deceitful speech; honesty, even harsh, preserves integrity. **In simple terms:** Truthful speech, even rude, is preferable to lying. Key Takeaway Speak truth directly, avoid covert falsehoods. Themes honesty communication integrity ethics Mood serious thoughtful Type ethical practical When to use this quote - personal relationships - public discourse - conflict resolution - leadership - negotiation Key Concepts moral philosophy speech ethics Questions to Reflect On - When is blunt honesty appropriate? - How can truth be delivered kindly? A Different Perspective Harsh truth can damage relationships if not tempered with empathy. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Lye Covertly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lye-covertly-4902085/) [Rudely](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rudely-1102160/) [Rudely Lye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rudely-lye-4902083/) [Speake Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/speake-truth-4902084/) [Truth Rudely](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth-rudely-4902082/) ## Related quotes > [“I, that am rudely stamped, and want love's majesty To strut before a wanton ambling nymph; I, that am curtail'd of this fair proportion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/i-that-am-rudely-stamped-and-want-love-s-majesty-to-strut-before-a/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [I always feel guilty later if I behave rudely with anyone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/divya-dutta/i-always-feel-guilty-later-if-i-behave-rudely-with-anyone/) [Divya Dutta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/divya-dutta/) > [Of course, there are some people who behave rudely. Allen Ginsberg used to like to get up in public and take his clothes off.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-hamill/of-course-there-are-some-people-who-behave-rudely-allen-ginsberg-used/) [Sam Hamill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-hamill/) > [“I never heard a man speak so boldly, so rudely to a woman. I never knew words could act like fingers, touching where they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-berry/i-never-heard-a-man-speak-so-boldly-so-rudely-to-a-woman-i-never-knew/) [Julie Berry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-berry/) > [Twit twit twit Jug jug jug jug jug jug So rudely forc'd. Tereu.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/twit-twit-twit-jug-jug-jug-jug-jug-jug-so-rudely-forc-d-tereu/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If you don't like me, it's simple. Don't look at me, don't follow me, don't converse about me & don't pretend that you like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kiki-strack/if-you-don-t-like-me-it-s-simple-don-t-look-at-me-don-t-follow-me-don/) [Kiki Strack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kiki-strack/) > [As Miss Golightly was saying, before she was so rudely interrupted...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/truman-capote/as-miss-golightly-was-saying-before-she-was-so-rudely-interrupted/) [Truman Capote](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/truman-capote/) > [Creativity is not to be rudely shoved into being](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-victore/creativity-is-not-to-be-rudely-shoved-into-being/) [James Victore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-victore/) > [No matter how rudely people treat you, NEVER DEGRADE YOURSELF to their level to treat them the same way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/no-matter-how-rudely-people-treat-you-never-degrade-yourself-to-their/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It bewilders me when people speak to you rudely or are mean, because I'd never be that way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelvin-fletcher/it-bewilders-me-when-people-speak-to-you-rudely-or-are-mean-because-i/) [Kelvin Fletcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelvin-fletcher/) > [Wit sometimes enables us to act rudely with impunity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/wit-sometimes-enables-us-to-act-rudely-with-impunity/) [Francois de La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/) > [“I am obscure to myself. I let myself happen. I unfold only in the now. I am rudely alive.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clarice-lispector/i-am-obscure-to-myself-i-let-myself-happen-i-unfold-only-in-the-now-i/) [Clarice Lispector](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clarice-lispector/) ## More by George Herbert > [Sum up at night what thou hast done by day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-herbert/sum-up-at-night-what-thou-hast-done-by-day/) [George Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-herbert/) > [Beare with evill, and expect good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-herbert/beare-with-evill-and-expect-good/) [George Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-herbert/) > [ In the house of a Fidler, all fiddle. \[In the house of the fiddler all fiddle.\] ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-herbert/in-the-house-of-a-fidler-all-fiddle-in-the-house-of-the-fiddler-all/) [George Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-herbert/) > [By all means use some time to be alone, salute thyself, see what thy soul doth wear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-herbert/by-all-means-use-some-time-to-be-alone-salute-thyself-see-what-thy/) [George Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-herbert/) > [Every one is weary, the poore in seeking, the rich in keeping, the good in learning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-herbert/every-one-is-weary-the-poore-in-seeking-the-rich-in-keeping-the-good/) [George Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-herbert/) > [He is a great Necromancer, for he asks counsel counsell of the Dead (i.e. books).](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-herbert/he-is-a-great-necromancer-for-he-asks-counsel-counsell-of-the-dead-i/) [George Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-herbert/) > [If all fooles had babies, wee should want fuell.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-herbert/if-all-fooles-had-babies-wee-should-want-fuell/) [George Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-herbert/) > [Weight justly and sell dearely.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-herbert/weight-justly-and-sell-dearely/) [George Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-herbert/) > [Could have recovered greenness?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-herbert/could-have-recovered-greenness/) [George Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-herbert/) > [In every country dogges bite.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-herbert/in-every-country-dogges-bite/) [George Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-herbert/) > [The back-doore robs the house.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-herbert/the-back-doore-robs-the-house/) [George Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-herbert/) > [In cloths cheap handsomeness, doth bear the bell.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-herbert/in-cloths-cheap-handsomeness-doth-bear-the-bell/) [George Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-herbert/) > [Foolish tongues talke by the dozen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-herbert/foolish-tongues-talke-by-the-dozen/) [George Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-herbert/) > [ Spectacles are deaths Harquebuze. \[Spectacles are death's arquebuse.\] ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-herbert/spectacles-are-deaths-harquebuze-spectacles-are-death-s-arquebuse/) [George Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-herbert/) > [None saies his Garner is full.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-herbert/none-saies-his-garner-is-full/) [George Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-herbert/) [Explore all 1,285 George Herbert quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-herbert/) ## More Rudely quotes > [“I, that am rudely stamped, and want love's majesty To strut before a wanton ambling nymph; I, that am curtail'd of this fair proportion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/i-that-am-rudely-stamped-and-want-love-s-majesty-to-strut-before-a/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [Wit sometimes enables us to act rudely with impunity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/wit-sometimes-enables-us-to-act-rudely-with-impunity/) [Francois de La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/) > [It bewilders me when people speak to you rudely or are mean, because I'd never be that way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelvin-fletcher/it-bewilders-me-when-people-speak-to-you-rudely-or-are-mean-because-i/) [Kelvin Fletcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelvin-fletcher/) > [No matter how rudely people treat you, NEVER DEGRADE YOURSELF to their level to treat them the same way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/no-matter-how-rudely-people-treat-you-never-degrade-yourself-to-their/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Creativity is not to be rudely shoved into being](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-victore/creativity-is-not-to-be-rudely-shoved-into-being/) [James Victore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-victore/) > [As Miss Golightly was saying, before she was so rudely interrupted...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/truman-capote/as-miss-golightly-was-saying-before-she-was-so-rudely-interrupted/) [Truman Capote](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/truman-capote/) > [If you don't like me, it's simple. Don't look at me, don't follow me, don't converse about me & don't pretend that you like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kiki-strack/if-you-don-t-like-me-it-s-simple-don-t-look-at-me-don-t-follow-me-don/) [Kiki Strack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kiki-strack/) > [Twit twit twit Jug jug jug jug jug jug So rudely forc'd. Tereu.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/twit-twit-twit-jug-jug-jug-jug-jug-jug-so-rudely-forc-d-tereu/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“I never heard a man speak so boldly, so rudely to a woman. I never knew words could act like fingers, touching where they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-berry/i-never-heard-a-man-speak-so-boldly-so-rudely-to-a-woman-i-never-knew/) [Julie Berry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-berry/) > [Of course, there are some people who behave rudely. Allen Ginsberg used to like to get up in public and take his clothes off.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-hamill/of-course-there-are-some-people-who-behave-rudely-allen-ginsberg-used/) [Sam Hamill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-hamill/) > [I always feel guilty later if I behave rudely with anyone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/divya-dutta/i-always-feel-guilty-later-if-i-behave-rudely-with-anyone/) [Divya Dutta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/divya-dutta/) > [“I am obscure to myself. I let myself happen. I unfold only in the now. I am rudely alive.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clarice-lispector/i-am-obscure-to-myself-i-let-myself-happen-i-unfold-only-in-the-now-i/) [Clarice Lispector](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clarice-lispector/) [Browse all 13 Rudely quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rudely-1102160/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Better speake truth rudely, then lye covertly.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "George Herbert" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-herbert/better-speake-truth-rudely-then-lye-covertly/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Rudely" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-herbert/better-speake-truth-rudely-then-lye-covertly/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2f3/george-herbert-107_quote_better-speake-truth-rudely-then-lye-cove_1399931.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2f3/george-herbert-107_quote_better-speake-truth-rudely-then-lye-cove_1399931.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2f3/george-herbert-107_quote_better-speake-truth-rudely-then-lye-cove_1399931.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Better speake truth rudely, then lye covertly.” — George Herbert", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "George Herbert", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-herbert/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Better speake truth rudely, then lye...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-herbert/better-speake-truth-rudely-then-lye-covertly/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-herbert/better-speake-truth-rudely-then-lye-covertly/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```