“ Truth consists not in never lying but in knowing when to lie and when not to do so. ”
Samuel Butler, The Note-Books of Samuel Butler (1912). copy citation
| Author | Samuel Butler |
|---|---|
| Source | The Note-Books of Samuel Butler |
| Topic | truth lie |
| Date | 1912 |
| Language | English |
| Reference | |
| Note | |
| Weblink | http://www.gutenberg.org/files/6173/6173-h/6173-h.htm |
Context
“Perhaps a little bit of absolute truth on any one question might prove a general solvent, and dissipate the universe.
xiv
Truth generally is kindness, but where the two diverge or collide, kindness should override truth.
Falsehood i
Truth consists not in never lying but in knowing when to lie and when not to do so. De minimis non curat veritas.
Yes, but what is a minimum? Sometimes a maximum is a minimum and sometimes it is the other way.
ii
Lying is like borrowing or appropriating in music. It is only a good, sound, truthful person who can lie to any good purpose;”
source
