1
Can you tell me, Philocles, what in the world it is that makes many men so fond of lying that they delight in telling preposterous tales themselves and listen with especial attention to those who spin yarns of that sort?
1
PHILOCLES There are many reasons, Tychiades, which constrain men occasionally to tell falsehoods with an eye to the usefulness of it.
1
TYCHIADES That has nothing to do with the case, as the phrase is, for I did not ask about men who lie for advantage. They are pardonable—yes, even praiseworthy, some of them, who have deceived national enemies or for safety’s sake have used this kind of expedient in extremities, as Odysseus often did in seeking to win his own life and the return of his comrades.An echo of Odyssey1, 5. No, my dear sir, I am speaking of those men who put sheer useless lying far ahead of truth, liking the thing and whiling away their time at it without any valid excuse. I want to know about these men, to what end they do this.
2
PHILOCLES Have you really noted any such men anywhere in whom this passion for lying is ingrained?
2
TYCHIADES Yes, there are many such men.
2
PHILOCLES What other reason, then, than folly may they be said to have for telling untruths, since they choose the worst course instead of the best? —
