Some truth there was, but dash'd and brew'd with lies,
To please the fools, and puzzle all the wise.

Some truth there was, but dash'd and brew'd with lies,
To please the fools, and puzzle all the wise.

A liar is always lavish of oaths.
[Fr., Un menteur est toujours prodigue de serments.]

A liar is always lavish of oaths.
[Fr., Un menteur est toujours prodigue de serments.]

The cruelest lies are often told in silence.

The cruelest lies are often told in silence.

And none speaks false, when there in none to hear.

And none speaks false, when there in none to hear.

Urge him with truth to frame his fair replies;
And sure he will; for wisdom never lies.

Urge him with truth to frame his fair replies;
And sure he will; for wisdom never lies.

And, after all, what is a lie? 'Tis but
The truth in masquerade.

And, after all, what is a lie? 'Tis but
The truth in masquerade.

Matilda told such dreadful lies It made one gasp and stretch one's eyes.

Matilda told such dreadful lies It made one gasp and stretch one's eyes.

There is no worse lie than a truth misunderstood by those who hear it.

There is no worse lie than a truth misunderstood by those who hear it.

Quoth Hudibras, I smell a rat;
Ralpho, thou dost prevaricate.

Quoth Hudibras, I smell a rat;
Ralpho, thou dost prevaricate.