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Atheism Quote by Thomas Paine

“A man will pass better through the world with a thousand open errors upon his back than in being detected in one sly falsehood. When one is detected, a thousand are suspected.” quote by Thomas Paine
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“A man will pass better through the world with a thousand open errors upon his back than in being detected in one sly falsehood. When one is detected, a thousand are suspected.”

Thomas Paine

About This Quote

It is better to live with many small mistakes openly than to be caught in a single deceit, because one lie invites widespread suspicion.

In simple terms: Open errors are safer than a single lie.

Key Takeaway

Prefer transparency over deceit.

Themes

integrity honesty trust reputation

Mood

reflective cautious

Type

ethical practical

When to use this quote

  • leadership
  • personal relationships
  • public speaking

Key Concepts

ethical behavior risk management personal accountability

Questions to Reflect On

  • What small mistakes have you hidden?
  • How does honesty affect your credibility?
A Different Perspective

Openness can still damage reputation if errors are frequent.

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