Robertson Davies Quotes

Peace can be a cover whereby evil men can perpetrate diabolical wrongs.

Masters of the bluff and masters of the proposition, but the enemy I see wears a cloak of decency.

I gave them all the truth and none of the honesty.

Whatever is born is the work of God. So whatever is plastered on, is the devil's work.... How unworthy of the Christian name it is to wear a fictitious face - you on whom simplicity in every form is enjoined! You, to whom lying with the tongue is not lawful, are lying in appearance.

My young friend supposes his ingenuousness is merely a ruse.

Only a lie that wasn't ashamed of itself could possibly succeed.

Safety is the last refuge of the scoundrel!

You take the lies out of him, and he'll shrink to the size of your hat; you take the malice out of him, and he'll disappear.

A little threat of evil is always the far better way to fill the seats. But sometimes the monsters aren't who we think they are.

If you want to do something evil, put it inside something boring.

So far I’m not seeing a lot of difference between me and a carnival con-man.

There is no more dangerous experiment than that of undertaking to be one thing before a man's face and another behind his back.

By lying, we deny others a view of the world as it is. Our dishonesty not only influences the choices they make, it often determines the choices they can make—and in ways we cannot always predict. Every lie is a direct assault upon the autonomy of those we lie to.

The truth is a precious commodity. That's why I use it so sparingly.

Let nothing dupe you! Such is the horrible maxim that acts as a solvent upon every noble feeling man experiences.

Men should be what they seem; Or those that be not, would they might seem none!.

If you want to be transparent with your people, do not do anything cosmetic, whether to deceive your people or to get some applaud from the West.

Give me an honest con man any day.

Honesty is often the best policy, but sometimes the appearance of it is worth six of it.

Truth looks tawdry when she is overdressed.

Good intentions can be evil, both hands are full of grease. You know, sometimes Satan comes as a man of peace.

Know that Truth sees through bullshit. So if you can't handle looking at Truth, you must be a Devil's culprit.

Pretences go a great way with men that take fair words and magisterial looks for current payment.

Man is ice to truth and fire to falsehood.

Don't you think people often say other people are tough when they do not know how to cheat them?