Famous quote by Desiderius Erasmus

Mobile Desktop
A good portion of speaking will consist in knowing how to lie
Like

"A good portion of speaking will consist in knowing how to lie"

- Desiderius Erasmus

About this Quote

Desiderius Erasmus was a Dutch philosopher and theologian who lived in the 16th century. His quote "A good portion of speaking will consist in understanding how to lie" recommends that in order to be an effective speaker, one must have the ability to inform lies. This does not suggest that one should lie, however rather that a person need to have the ability to acknowledge when a lie is being informed and have the ability to respond to it in a way that is helpful to the speaker. Erasmus was most likely describing the truth that in order to succeed in any kind of communication, one need to have the ability to recognize when someone is attempting to deceive them and have the ability to react in such a way that is helpful to the speaker. This could mean reacting with a counterargument or just ignoring the lie altogether. Erasmus was most likely suggesting that in order to be an effective speaker, one must be able to recognize when someone is trying to deceive them and have the ability to respond in a manner that is useful to the speaker.

About the Author

Netherland Flag This quote is written / told by Desiderius Erasmus between October 26, 1466 and July 12, 1536. He/she was a famous Philosopher from Netherland. The author also have 43 other quotes.

Go to author profile

Similar Quotes

Small: A good leader takes a little more than his share of the blame, a little less than his share of the credit - Ar
Arnold H. Glasow
"A good leader takes a little more than his share of the blame, a little less than his share of the credit"
Arnold H. Glasow, Businessman
Small: A man who will not lie to a woman has very little consideration for her feelings - Olin Miller
Olin Miller
"A man who will not lie to a woman has very little consideration for her feelings"
Olin Miller, Writer
Small: A company is only as good as the people it keeps - Mary Kay Ash
Mary Kay Ash
"A company is only as good as the people it keeps"
Mary Kay Ash, Businesswoman
Small: The best preparation for good work tomorrow is to do good work today - Elbert Hubbard
Elbert Hubbard
"The best preparation for good work tomorrow is to do good work today"
Elbert Hubbard, Writer
Small: There is a good principle which created order, light, and man, and an evil principle which created chaos, dark
Pythagoras
"There is a good principle which created order, light, and man, and an evil principle which created chaos, darkness, and woman"
Pythagoras, Mathematician
Small: When Im good, Im very good. But when Im bad Im better - Mae West
Mae West
"When I'm good, I'm very good. But when I'm bad I'm better"
Mae West, Actress
Small: Economy does not lie in sparing money, but in spending it wisely - Thomas Huxley
Thomas Huxley
"Economy does not lie in sparing money, but in spending it wisely"
Thomas Huxley, Scientist
Small: Bad times have a scientific value. These are occasions a good learner would not miss - Ralph Waldo Emerson
Ralph Waldo Emerson
"Bad times have a scientific value. These are occasions a good learner would not miss"
Ralph Waldo Emerson, Philosopher
Small: A good decision is based on knowledge and not on numbers - Plato
Plato
"A good decision is based on knowledge and not on numbers"
Plato, Philosopher
Small: Papa, potatoes, poultry, prunes and prism, are all very good words for the lips - Charles Dickens
Charles Dickens
"Papa, potatoes, poultry, prunes and prism, are all very good words for the lips"
Charles Dickens, Novelist