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Don't lie, but don't tell the whole truth.

— Baltasar Gracián

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Honesty

More quotes by Baltasar Gracián

Politeness and a sense of honor have this advantage: we bestow them on others without losing a thing.

The Art of Worldly Wisdom (1647)

When you counsel someone, you should appear to be reminding him of something he had forgotten, not of the light he was unable to see.

The Art of Worldly Wisdom (1647)

Some marry the first information they receive, and turn what comes later into their concubine. Since deceit is always first to arrive, there is no room left for truth.

The Art of Worldly Wisdom (1647)

The one rule for pleasing: whet the appetite, keep people hungry.

The Art of Worldly Wisdom (1647)

If you cannot make knowledge your servant, make it your friend.

The Art of Worldly Wisdom (1647)

All Baltasar Gracián quotes →

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You have to start with the truth. The truth is the only way that we can get anywhere. Because any decision-making that is based upon lies or ignorance can't lead to a good conclusion.

Julian Assange

False words are not only evil in themselves, but they infect the soul with evil.

Socrates

It is better to be poor and walk in integrity than to be stupid and speak lies.

Solomon

Who dares think one thing, and another tell,
My heart detests him as the gates of hell.

Homer Iliad (-750)

Attribution

Quote text and notes from Wikiquote: Baltasar Gracián (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source quality and labels are our own summary of what Wikiquote records.