"Tact: to lie about others as you would have them lie about you"

This quote by Oliver Herford is a humorous way of stating that tact has to do with being considerate of others. It suggests that when we speak about other individuals, we ought to be mindful of how we would desire them to speak about us. This implies that we need to be considerate and kind in our words, and not spread out chatter or reports. It also implies that we should be sincere and truthful in our discussions, and not overemphasize or distort the fact. In essence, this quote is a tip to be conscious of how we discuss others, and to treat them as we would want to be dealt with. It is a reminder to be kind and respectful in our conversations, and to be sincere and genuine in our words.