"A lie with a purpose is one of the worst kind, and the most profitable"
- Finley Peter Dunne
About this Quote
This quote by Finley Peter Dunne talks to the power of truth and the threat of lies. He is recommending that lies with a purpose, or lies that are told to achieve a certain result, are especially perilous and damaging. He also indicates that these lies can be lucrative, as they can be used to manipulate people and scenarios to one's benefit. This quote works as a cautioning to be careful of lies, particularly those that are told with a purpose. It also works as a pointer that truth is always the very best policy, as lies can have significant and damaging effects. Eventually, this quote works as a pointer that honesty is constantly the very best policy, which lies can be dangerous and damaging.
"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"