"A lie which is half a truth is ever the blackest of lies"
- Alfred Lord Tennyson
About this Quote
In this extensive quote by Alfred Lord Tennyson, the speaker considers the nature of deceit. The concept of a lie being "half a reality" suggests that a partial truth can serve as a smart disguise, making the lie more persuading and ominous. Tennyson's option of explaining such lies as "the blackest of lies" indicates their naturally dark and corruptive nature. This quote reminds us that lies can be most hazardous when they are smartly crafted to include aspects of fact, as they control understanding and wear down trust. It serves as a cautionary message against the deceptive power of dishonesty and encourages us to value and maintain the significance of truthfulness.
"The law condemns and punishes only actions within certain definite and narrow limits; it thereby justifies, in a way, all similar actions that lie outside those limits"