George Orwell
Writer, Journalist
"The very concept of objective truth is fading out of the world. Lies will pass into history."
Deceit quotes
Deceit
287 quotes on this topic — from poets, philosophers, and thinkers across history.
Niccolo Machiavelli
Political Philosopher, Historian
"It is double pleasure to deceive the deceiver."
Joseph Butler
Philosopher, Theologian
"The tongue may be employed about, and made to serve all the purposes of vice, in tempting and deceiving, in perjury and injustice."
Malcolm Bradbury
Novelist, Academic
"The English are polite by telling lies. The Americans are polite by telling the truth."
Samuel Johnson
Lexicographer, Essayist, Critic
"Whoever commits a fraud is guilty not only of the particular injury to him who he deceives, but of the diminution of that confidence which constitutes not only the ease but the existence of society."
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Deceit quotes (page 1 of 15)
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"There are only two things. Truth and lies. Truth is indivisible, hence it cannot recognize itself; anyone who wants to recognize it has to be a lie."
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"One is easily fooled by that which one loves."
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"Ask no questions, and you'll be told no lies."
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"Mans most disagreeable habits and idiosyncrasies, his deceit, his cowardice, his lack of reverence, are engendered by his incomplete adjustment to a complicated civilisation. It is the result of the conflict between our instincts and our culture."
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"To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist."
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"There is a cunning which we in England call the rning of the cat in the pan."
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"There is nothing in the world more shameful than establishing one's self on lies and fables."
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"It is generally a feminine eye that first detects the moral deficiencies hidden under the 'dear deceit' of beauty."
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"How to achieve such anomalies, such alterations and re-fashionings of reality so what comes out of it are lies, if you like, but lies that are more than literal truth."
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"Appearances often are deceiving."
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"Deceit and falsehood, whatever conveniences they may for a time promise or produce, are, in the sum of life, obstacles to happiness. Those who profit by the cheat distrust the deceiver; and the act by which kindness was sought puts an end to confidence."
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"Justice will overtake fabricators of lies and false witnesses."
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"The opposite of knowledge is not ignorance, but deceit and fraud."
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"Nothing is more deceitful than the appearance of humility."
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"There is no killing the suspicion that deceit has once begotten."
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"Anything is better than lies and deceit!"
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"There is a smile of love, And there is a smile of deceit, And there is a smile of smiles In which these two smiles meet."
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"Deadly poisons are concealed under sweet honey."
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"There is no language without deceit."
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"You mustn't always believe what I say. Questions tempt you to tell lies, particularly when there is no answer."
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