"Never was it given to mortal man - To lie so boldly as we women can"

Alexander Pope’s witticism draws attention to the art of deception, playful exaggeration, and gender dynamics in social discourse. By attributing the singular ability to "lie so boldly" to women, he engages both the conventions of satire and the stereotypes prevalent during his era. The phrase operates on dual levels: firstly, as an ironic compliment to women’s ingenuity in navigating restrictive societal expectations, and secondly, as a commentary on the human capacity, particularly women’s, according to Pope, for audacious fabrication.

During the period in which Pope wrote, women were often restricted in their freedom of action and expression. Under such constraints, indirect methods, such as cleverness with words, became valuable tools. Exaggeration, white lies, and manipulation were sometimes necessary for women to assert influence or maintain autonomy. The boldness in lying, therefore, can be read not as mere dishonesty but as a creative adaptation to social limitations. Through this lens, the statement hints at women's resourcefulness in a patriarchal society, where directness or defiance might have harsher consequences.

Pope’s tone is unmistakably tongue-in-cheek, suggesting admiration as much as criticism. There is an underlying acknowledgment that men, too, are no strangers to lying; yet, the poet singles out women’s boldness, perhaps alluding to the theatricality or finesse with which they negotiate truth. The phrase might reflect a broader literary tradition of attributing wit and cunning to women, often as both a compliment and a caution. The “never was it given to mortal man” construction humorously elevates this trait to a quasi-supernatural ability.

Ultimately, Pope’s couplet remains effective through its ambiguity. It can be seen as a veiled critique of female deceit or as a sly tribute to women's intelligence and survival instincts. His words invite both laughter and reflection on the ways gendered stereotypes can both constrain and empower, illuminating the complexities of social interaction in his time and, perhaps, in ours as well.