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

Oliver Herford's quote, "Tact: to lie about others as you would have them lie about you", provides an amusing and somewhat satirical viewpoint on the principle of tact. At its core, tact is normally understood as the art of being delicate and thoughtful in handling others, particularly in delicate scenarios. It includes the capability to communicate honestly however gently, to prevent unnecessary offense or conflict. Nevertheless, Herford's quote recommends a more cynical view, indicating that tact involves a kind of deceptiveness.

By corresponding tact with lying, Herford underscores the fragile balance between sincerity and generosity. In certain social contexts, being completely sincere might be unnecessary or even damaging, so people typically pick to soften their words. This "softening" is what Herford humorously describes as "lying". His quip suggests that individuals often prefer to hear softened truths, and even mild fallacies, rather than extreme truths.

The expression "as you would have them lie about you" invokes the Golden Rule, which is normally a standard for ethical habits: treat others as you want to be treated. Here, however, Herford twists this ethical maxim to recommend that individuals would choose others also be tactfully unethical about them. This indicates a good understanding or unspoken contract amongst individuals to preserve social consistency through selective truthfulness.

Herford's quote can be seen as a commentary on the characteristics of social interactions, where reality is sometimes compromised at the altar of diplomacy and rules. It prompts readers to assess the worth and requirement of tact within relationships, acknowledging both its utility and its potential for insincerity. In essence, the quote is a lively yet poignant expedition of human interaction, encouraging a reflection on how frequently we choose to prioritize compassion over sincerity-- and whether this constitutes deception or diplomacy.