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Quotes about truth and lies

458 quotes from 240 people

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Truth is the most powerful thing in the world, since even fiction itself must be governed by it, and can only please by its resemblance.
Anthony Ashley-Cooper, 3rd Earl of Shaftesbury1671–1713Characteristicks of Men, Manners, Opinions, Times (1711), Vol. 1, p. 8; “A Letter Concerning Enthusiasm”.
- Writing
This above all: to thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.
William Shakespeare1564–1616Hamlet (1600–1), Act I, scene iii.In context
Though I am not naturally honest, I am sometimes by chance.
William Shakespeare1564–1616The Winter’s Tale (1623)In context
It’s not enough to speak, but to speak true.
William Shakespeare1564–1616A Midsummer Night’s Dream (1600)In context
All that glisters is not gold.
William Shakespeare1564–1616The Merchant of Venice (1596–7)In context
Seems, madam! Nay, it is; I know not seems.
William Shakespeare1564–1616Hamlet (c. 1600), Act I, Scene II, spoken by HamletIn context
That one may smile, and smile, and be a villain!
William Shakespeare1564–1616Hamlet (c. 1600), Act I, Scene V, spoken by HamletIn context
- Good & Evil
And oftentimes to win us to our harm,
The instruments of darkness tell us truths;
Win us with honest trifles, to betray’s
In deepest consequence.
William Shakespeare1564–1616Macbeth (c. 1606), Act I, Scene III, spoken by BanquoIn context
- Good & Evil
Look like the innocent flower,
But be the serpent under’t.
William Shakespeare1564–1616Macbeth (c. 1606), Act I, Scene V, spoken by Lady MacbethIn context
There’s daggers in men’s smiles
William Shakespeare1564–1616Macbeth (c. 1606), Act II, Scene III, spoken by DonalbainIn context
At lovers’ perjuries,
They say Jove laughs.
William Shakespeare1564–1616Romeo and Juliet (c. 1595), Act II, Scene II, spoken by JulietIn context
- Love
Time shall unfold what plighted cunning hides:
Who covers faults, at last shame derides.
William Shakespeare1564–1616King Lear (c. 1606), Act I, Scene I, spoken by CordeliaIn context
- Time
But I will wear my heart upon my sleeve
For daws to peck at: I am not what I am.
William Shakespeare1564–1616Othello (c. 1604), Act I, Scene I, spoken by IagoIn context
Look to her, Moor, if thou hast eyes to see:
She has deceiv’d her father, and may thee.
William Shakespeare1564–1616Othello (c. 1604), Act I, Scene III, spoken by BrabantioIn context
Men should be what they seem;
Or those that be not, would they might seem none!
William Shakespeare1564–1616Othello (c. 1604), Act III, Scene III, spoken by IagoIn context