--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: As the greatest liar tells more truths…" description: "\"As the greatest liar tells more truths than falsehoods, so may it be said of the worst man, that he does more good than evil.\" — Samuel Johnson" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/795/samuel-johnson-50_doe_as-the-greatest-liar-tells-more-truths-t_1228505.png" --- # As the greatest liar tells more truths than falsehoods, so… ![“As the greatest liar tells more truths than falsehoods, so may it be said of the worst man, that he does more good than evil.” quote by Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/795/samuel-johnson-50_doe_as-the-greatest-liar-tells-more-truths-t_1228505.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/795/samuel-johnson-50_doe_as-the-greatest-liar-tells-more-truths-t_1228505.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/795/samuel-johnson-50_doe_as-the-greatest-liar-tells-more-truths-t_1228505.png) > “As the greatest liar tells more truths than falsehoods, so may it be said of the worst man, that he does more good than evil.” [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A great liar can still produce more truth than falsehood, and a bad person can do more good than evil. **In simple terms:** Even the worst can have positive impact. Key Takeaway Recognize hidden good in flawed people. Themes morality paradox human nature Mood reflective analytical Type philosophical critical When to use this quote - politics - personal relationships - leadership - justice Key Concepts ethics dualism redemption Questions to Reflect On - Can we trust the good from the bad? - How do we assess moral balance? A Different Perspective Not all lies are harmful; good deeds may be accidental. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Doe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doe/) [Evil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evil/) [Falsehood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/falsehood/) [Goodness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goodness/) [Greatest Liar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/greatest-liar-1887236/) [Liar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/liar/) [Liar Tells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/liar-tells-324680/) [Liars](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/liars/) [May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/may/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Said](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/said/) [Tells Truths](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tells-truths-3583815/) [Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth/) [Truths Falsehoods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truths-falsehoods-3790551/) [Worst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/worst/) ## Related quotes > [The human mind is an organ for the discovery of truths rather than of falsehoods.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solomon-asch/the-human-mind-is-an-organ-for-the-discovery-of-truths-rather-than-of/) [Solomon Asch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solomon-asch/) > [Even a liar tells a hundred truths to one lie; he has to, to make the lie good for anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/even-a-liar-tells-a-hundred-truths-to-one-lie-he-has-to-to-make-the/) [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) > [LIAR, n. One who tells an unpleasant truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/liar-n-one-who-tells-an-unpleasant-truth/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [“No one believes a liar even when he tells the truth”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aesop/no-one-believes-a-liar-even-when-he-tells-the-truth/) [Aesop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aesop/) > [We don't believe a liar even when he tells the truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-tullius-cicero/we-don-t-believe-a-liar-even-when-he-tells-the-truth/) [Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-tullius-cicero/) > [For history tells us that while these truths may be self-evident, they've never been self-executing. That while freedom is a gift from God, it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/for-history-tells-us-that-while-these-truths-may-be-self-evident-they/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [History tells us that while these truths may be self-evident, they have never been self-executing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/history-tells-us-that-while-these-truths-may-be-self-evident-they/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [Music tells no truths.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-james-bailey/music-tells-no-truths/) [Philip James Bailey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-james-bailey/) > [The candid camera is the greatest liar in the photographic family… It is anarchic, naïve, and superficial.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lincoln-kirstein/the-candid-camera-is-the-greatest-liar-in-the-photographic-family-it/) [Lincoln Kirstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lincoln-kirstein/) > [Success has always been the greatest liar - and the "work" itself is a success; the great statesman, the conqueror, the discoverer is disguised…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/success-has-always-been-the-greatest-liar-and-the-work-itself-is-a/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [ Either \[Jesus\] was what he said he was or he was the world's greatest liar. It is impossible for me to believe a liar… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/either-jesus-was-what-he-said-he-was-or-he-was-the-world-s-greatest/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [Christ is God or He is the world's greatest liar and imposter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-day/christ-is-god-or-he-is-the-world-s-greatest-liar-and-imposter/) [Dorothy Day](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-day/) > [“I know someone said that even a really bad liar tells more truth than lies, but you still can't tell what are lies and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-rendell/i-know-someone-said-that-even-a-really-bad-liar-tells-more-truth-than/) [Ruth Rendell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-rendell/) > [“If a liar tells you he is lying, is he telling the truth.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shehan-karunatilaka/if-a-liar-tells-you-he-is-lying-is-he-telling-the-truth/) [Shehan Karunatilaka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shehan-karunatilaka/) > [“Larry’s such a liar--- He tells outrageous lies. He says he’s ninety-nine years old Instead of only five. He says he lives up on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shel-silverstein/larry-s-such-a-liar-he-tells-outrageous-lies-he-says-he-s-ninety-nine/) [Shel Silverstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shel-silverstein/) ## More by Samuel Johnson > [The size of a man's understanding might always be justly measured by his mirth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/the-size-of-a-man-s-understanding-might-always-be-justly-measured-by/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [Pound St. Paul's Church into atoms, and consider any single atom; it is to be sure, good for nothing; but put all these atoms…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/pound-st-paul-s-church-into-atoms-and-consider-any-single-atom-it-is/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [You can never be wise unless you love reading.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/you-can-never-be-wise-unless-you-love-reading/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [If our aim is to praise, we should forget to criticize; if our aim is to criticize, we should remember to praise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/if-our-aim-is-to-praise-we-should-forget-to-criticize-if-our-aim-is/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [All theory is against free will; all experience is for it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/all-theory-is-against-free-will-all-experience-is-for-it/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [Had I learned to fiddle, I should have done nothing else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/had-i-learned-to-fiddle-i-should-have-done-nothing-else/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [It is as foolish to make experiments upon the constancy of a friend, as upon the chastity of a wife.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/it-is-as-foolish-to-make-experiments-upon-the-constancy-of-a-friend/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [Resolve not to be poor: whatever you have, spend less. Poverty is a great enemy to human happiness; it certainly destroys liberty, and it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/resolve-not-to-be-poor-whatever-you-have-spend-less-poverty-is-a/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [The basis of all excellence is truth: he that professes love ought to feel its power.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/the-basis-of-all-excellence-is-truth-he-that-professes-love-ought-to/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [Words are daughters of earth but ideas are sons of heaven.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/words-are-daughters-of-earth-but-ideas-are-sons-of-heaven/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [“The composition of Shakespeare is a forest, in which oaks extend in the air, interspersed sometimes with weeds and brambles, and sometimes giving shelting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/the-composition-of-shakespeare-is-a-forest-in-which-oaks-extend-in/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [“The cherubim were never intended as an object of worship, because they were only the appendices to another thing. But a thing is then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/the-cherubim-were-never-intended-as-an-object-of-worship-because-they/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [Nobody has the right to put another under such a difficulty that he must either hurt the person by telling the truth or hurt…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/nobody-has-the-right-to-put-another-under-such-a-difficulty-that-he/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [That kind of life is most happy which affords us most opportunities of gaining our own self-esteem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/that-kind-of-life-is-most-happy-which-affords-us-most-opportunities/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [The time will come to every human being when it must be known how well he can bear to die.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/the-time-will-come-to-every-human-being-when-it-must-be-known-how/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) [Explore all 1,998 Samuel Johnson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) ## More Doe quotes > [So the fool, as distinct from the scoundrel, is completely self- satisfied; in fact, he can easily become dangerous, as it does not take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dietrich-bonhoeffer/so-the-fool-as-distinct-from-the-scoundrel-is-completely-self/) [Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dietrich-bonhoeffer/) > [I cannot forbid a person to marry several wives, for it does not contradict Scripture. 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Not only does…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-mead/the-prophet-who-fails-to-present-a-bearable-alternative-and-yet/) [Margaret Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-mead/) > [Sometimes a sign or a quote is simply interesting by itself and does not require anything beyond being framed on a page.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-vincent-benet/sometimes-a-sign-or-a-quote-is-simply-interesting-by-itself-and-does/) [Stephen Vincent Benet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-vincent-benet/) > [A home is not a museum. It doesn't have to be furnished with Picasso paintings, or Sheraton suites, or Oriental rugs, or Chinese pottery.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-m-cain/a-home-is-not-a-museum-it-doesn-t-have-to-be-furnished-with-picasso/) [James M. Cain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-m-cain/) > [The image of blacks usually is one of people who are suffering from hunger, unemployment, and poverty. The idea of them as agents and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grace-lee-boggs/the-image-of-blacks-usually-is-one-of-people-who-are-suffering-from/) [Grace Lee Boggs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grace-lee-boggs/) > [He's a fool that marries; but he's a greater fool that does not marry a fool.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-wycherley/he-s-a-fool-that-marries-but-he-s-a-greater-fool-that-does-not-marry/) [William Wycherley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-wycherley/) > [Nothing old is ever reborn but neither does it totally disappear. And that which has once been born, will always reappear in a new…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alvar-aalto/nothing-old-is-ever-reborn-but-neither-does-it-totally-disappear-and/) [Alvar Aalto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alvar-aalto/) > [One of the things the United States does well is building coalitions. 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