Truly, to tell lies is not honorable;
But when the truth entails tremendous ruin,
To speak dishonorably is pardonable.
καλὸν μὲν οὖν οὐκ ἔστι τὰ ψευδῆ λέγειν·
ὅτῳ δ᾿ ὄλεθρον δεινὸν ἁλήθει᾿ ἄγει,
συγγνωστὸν εἰπεῖν ἐστι καὶ τὸ μὴ καλόν.
ὅτῳ δ᾿ ὄλεθρον δεινὸν ἁλήθει᾿ ἄγει,
συγγνωστὸν εἰπεῖν ἐστι καὶ τὸ μὴ καλόν.
Original text (Ancient Greek)