Skip to content
quotesby

About this quote

What does it mean?
Lack of opposition encourages people to lie.
In plain terms
When no one argues, people feel free to tell stories instead of facts.
What can you take from it?
Agreement can enable dishonesty.

Where it applies

  • echo chambers
  • uncritical groups
  • polite society

Putting it to work

  • encouraging debate
  • promoting truth

Questions to consider

  • Why does agreement sometimes breed lies?
  • What keeps us honest?

Another view

It ignores other causes of lying.

More from John Gay

  1. Where yet was ever found a mother Who'd give her booby for another?

    Permalink to quote #6
  2. In beauty faults conspicuous grow; The smallest speck is seen on snow.

    Permalink to quote #8
  3. Whence thy learning? Hath thy toil O'er books consumed the midnight oil?

    Permalink to quote #5

Related quotes

  1. Never forget what a man says to you when he is angry.

    Henry Ward BeecherHenry Ward Beecher quote #1
  2. 'Don't ever ask me for a true statement again!'

    Evan MechamEvan Mecham quote #1
  3. Please don't lie to me, unless you're absolutely sure I'll never find out the truth.

    Ashleigh BrilliantAshleigh Brilliant quote #1