Truth

When old age shall this generation waste, Thou shalt remain, in midst of other woe Than ours, a friend to man, to whom thou say’st, “Beauty is truth, truth beauty,” 1 —that is all Ye know on earth, and all ye need to know.

The antique Persians taught three useful things— To draw the bow, to ride, and speak the truth.

’Tis strange—but true; for truth is always strange; Stranger than fiction. 7

And, after all, what is a lie? ’Tis but The truth in masquerade.

I cannot tell how the truth may be; I say the tale as ’twas said to me.

A truth that’s told with bad intent Beats all the lies you can invent.

Truth can never be told so as to be understood, and not be believ’d.

Truth from his lips prevail’d with double sway, And fools, who came to scoff, remain’d to pray.

When we risk no contradiction, It prompts the tongue to deal in fiction.

No mask like open truth to cover lies, As to go naked is the best disguise.

Servant of God, well done, well hast thou fought The better fight, who single hast maintained Against revolted multitudes the cause Of truth, in word mightier than they in arms.

But all was false and hollow; through his tongue Dropp’d manna, and could make the worse appear The better reason.

Dare to be true: nothing can need a lie: A fault, which needs it most, grows two thereby. 2

Truth is the trial of itself And needs no other touch, And purer than the purest gold, Refine it ne’er so much.

The dignity of truth is lost with much protesting.

It is a heretic that makes the fire, Not she which burns in ’t.

Time shall unfold what plighted cunning hides; Who covers faults, at last shame them derides.

Lear: So young, and so untender? Cordelia: So young, my lord, and true.

Take note, take note, O world! To be direct and honest is not safe.

Thy honesty and love doth mince this matter.

Truth is truth To the end of reckoning.

Your bait of falsehood takes this carp of truth; And thus do we of wisdom and of reach, With windlasses and with assays of bias, By indirections find directions out.

The “why” is plain as way to parish church.

O! what authority and show of truth Can cunning sin cover itself withal.