--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A lie is no less a lie because it is a…" description: "\"“A lie is no less a lie because it is a thousand years old. Your undivided church has liked nothing better than persecuting its own members, burning th..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8fb/hilary-mantel-440_catholic-church_a-lie-is-no-less-a-lie-because-it-is-a-t_156728.jpg" --- # A lie is no less a lie because it is a thousand years old… ![“A lie is no less a lie because it is a thousand years old. Your undivided church has liked nothing better than persecuting its own members, burning them and hacking them apart when they stood by their own conscience, slashing their bellies open and feeding their guts to dogs.” quote by Hilary Mantel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8fb/hilary-mantel-440_catholic-church_a-lie-is-no-less-a-lie-because-it-is-a-t_156728.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8fb/hilary-mantel-440_catholic-church_a-lie-is-no-less-a-lie-because-it-is-a-t_156728.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8fb/hilary-mantel-440_catholic-church_a-lie-is-no-less-a-lie-because-it-is-a-t_156728.jpg) > ““A lie is no less a lie because it is a thousand years old. Your undivided church has liked nothing better than persecuting its own members, burning them and hacking them apart when they stood by their own conscience, slashing their bellies open and feeding their guts to dogs.”” [Hilary Mantel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilary-mantel/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Historical oppression shows that institutions can perpetuate cruelty, using long-standing traditions to justify violence against dissenters. **In simple terms:** Old institutions can still commit cruelty. Key Takeaway Question authority and protect conscience. Themes power oppression history Mood critical somber Type historical political When to use this quote - human rights - historical analysis - ethical critique Key Concepts institutional cruelty religious persecution Questions to Reflect On - What modern institutions echo these abuses? - How can individuals resist systemic cruelty? A Different Perspective Historical patterns may repeat without vigilance. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Catholic church](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/catholic-church/) [Conscience](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conscience/) [Lies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lies/) [Thousand years](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thousand-years/) ## Related quotes > [The many men, so beautiful! 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We shall leave our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilary-mantel/mirabeau-if-you-have-been-told-to-clear-us-from-this-hall-you-must/) [Hilary Mantel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilary-mantel/) > [“Cardinal Campeggio has implored Katherine to bow to the king's will, accept that her marriage is invalid and retire to a convent. 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