The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs (319 page)
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A LIAR ought to have a good memory
Cf. QUINTILIAN
Institutio Oratoria
IV. ii.
mendacem memorem esse oportet
, a liar ought to have a good memory.
a
1542
in
Poetical Works
(1858) p. xxxvii.
They say, ‘He that will lie well must have a good remembrance, that he agree in all points with himself, lest he be spied.’
c
1690
Twelve Sermons
(1722) IV. 167
Indeed, a very rational Saying, That a lyar ought to have a good Memory.
1721
Scottish Proverbs
50
A Lyar should have a good Memory. Lest he tell the same Lye different ways.
1945
Lark Rise
xiii.
‘A liar ought to have a good memory,’ they would say.
1990
Washington Times
7 Mar. F1
They say a liar has to have a good memory. In that case, Mr. Reagan's testimony is proof of his honesty.
lying
Institutio Oratoria
IV. ii.
mendacem memorem esse oportet
, a liar ought to have a good memory.
a1542
in
Poetical Works
(1858) p. xxxvii.
They say, ‘He that will lie well must have a good remembrance, that he agree in all points with himself, lest he be spied.’
c
1690
Twelve Sermons
(1722) IV. 167
Indeed, a very rational Saying, That a lyar ought to have a good Memory.
1721
Scottish Proverbs
50
A Lyar should have a good Memory. Lest he tell the same Lye different ways.
1945
Lark Rise
xiii.
‘A liar ought to have a good memory,’ they would say.
1990
Washington Times
7 Mar. F1
They say a liar has to have a good memory. In that case, Mr. Reagan's testimony is proof of his honesty.
lyingA LIE is halfway round the world before the truth has got its boots on
The speed with which falsehood travels was a classical commonplace; e.g. VIRGIL
Aeneid
iv. 174
Fama
,
malum qua non aliud velocius alium
, Rumour, than whom no other evil thing is faster. This whole passage was imitated by Shakespeare in the Induction to
Henry IV, Pt.2
(1597–8).
1859
Gems from Spurgeon
74
It is well said in the old proverb, ‘a lie will go round the world while truth is pulling its boots on’.
1996
National Review
6 May 6
‘A lie is halfway round the world before the truth has got its boots on.’ But, eventually, truth gets booted and spurred, and the lie gets a good licking.
1997
Washington Post
15 May C23
One of the sad inequities of life is that a lie can travel halfway around the world before the truth can tie its shoelaces.
rumour
;
truth
Aeneid
iv. 174
Fama
,
malum qua non aliud velocius alium
, Rumour, than whom no other evil thing is faster. This whole passage was imitated by Shakespeare in the Induction to
Henry IV, Pt.2
(1597–8).
1859Gems from Spurgeon
74
It is well said in the old proverb, ‘a lie will go round the world while truth is pulling its boots on’.
1996
National Review
6 May 6
‘A lie is halfway round the world before the truth has got its boots on.’ But, eventually, truth gets booted and spurred, and the lie gets a good licking.
1997
Washington Post
15 May C23
One of the sad inequities of life is that a lie can travel halfway around the world before the truth can tie its shoelaces.
rumour;
truth
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