How to Read “He that tells lies is not sensible how great a task he undertakes”
He that tells lies is not sensible how great a task he undertakes
HEE that tells LIES is not SEN-sih-bul how great a TASK hee un-der-TAYKS
The word “sensible” here means “aware” rather than “smart.”
Meaning of “He that tells lies is not sensible how great a task he undertakes”
Simply put, this proverb means that people who lie don’t realize how much work it takes to keep their lies going.
When someone tells a lie, they might think it’s easy. They say something false and move on. But lies create problems that honest statements don’t have. Each lie needs to be remembered exactly. The liar must keep track of what they said to whom. They need to make sure their story stays the same every time they tell it.
This becomes harder as time goes on. One lie often leads to more lies to cover up the first one. If someone asks questions, the liar needs quick answers that match their original story. They must avoid people who know the truth. They have to remember which version of events they told to different people. This creates stress and takes mental energy.
The proverb points out that liars don’t think ahead. They focus on the immediate benefit of their lie. They don’t consider the ongoing effort required to maintain their deception. Truth-tellers have it easier because they only need to remember what actually happened. Liars must remember both reality and their made-up version of events.
Origin and Etymology
The exact origin of this proverb is unknown, though it reflects wisdom found in many cultures throughout history.
This type of saying became common during times when reputation mattered greatly for survival. In smaller communities, being caught in lies could ruin someone’s standing permanently. People depended on trust for business deals, marriages, and daily cooperation. A person known for dishonesty faced serious social and economic consequences.
The formal language suggests it comes from an era when moral instruction was often written in elevated speech. Many proverbs from earlier centuries used “he that” constructions and formal vocabulary. These sayings were passed down through religious teachings, moral books, and oral tradition. Over time, the core message remained while the language stayed formal, preserving its original dignity and weight.
Interesting Facts
The word “sensible” in this proverb uses an older meaning. Today we think “sensible” means practical or wise. But here it means “aware” or “conscious of.” This older usage appears in many historical texts and proverbs.
The phrase “great a task” follows older English word order patterns. Modern English would say “how great a task” or “what a great task.” This construction was common in formal writing and speech of past centuries.
Usage Examples
- Mother to teenage son: “You’ll need to remember every detail of that fake story forever, and one slip will expose everything – he that tells lies is not sensible how great a task he undertakes.”
- Coworker to colleague: “She’s been covering up that mistake for weeks, creating new excuses daily – he that tells lies is not sensible how great a task he undertakes.”
Universal Wisdom
This proverb reveals a fundamental truth about human psychology and the hidden costs of deception. Lies create what we might call “cognitive debt” – an ongoing mental burden that compounds over time.
The human brain evolved to process and remember reality efficiently. When we tell the truth, we work with our natural memory systems. We recall what actually happened, drawing on sensory memories and emotional connections. But lies force us to maintain two separate versions of reality. This creates mental strain because our brains must constantly choose between the true memory and the fabricated story. The liar becomes trapped in a system that fights against natural human cognition.
Deception also reveals the interconnected nature of truth. Reality forms a web where facts support each other naturally. When someone lies, they tear holes in this web. Each lie weakens the structure, requiring more lies to patch the gaps. The liar discovers that truth has an internal consistency that lies lack. They must work constantly to create artificial connections between their false statements. This explains why even skilled liars eventually make mistakes – they’re fighting against the natural order of how information fits together.
The proverb captures why honesty persists as a survival strategy despite the short-term advantages of lying. Truth-tellers conserve mental energy for other challenges. They build genuine relationships based on trust. They avoid the exhausting work of maintaining false narratives. Meanwhile, liars spend increasing amounts of energy on deception maintenance, leaving less capacity for productive activities. This hidden cost makes dishonesty ultimately self-defeating, even when it seems to offer immediate benefits.
When AI Hears This
Lies work like badly built computer programs that crash constantly. Each false statement creates holes that need constant patching. The liar must remember every fake detail forever. They build wobbly towers of made-up facts. Reality keeps trying to knock these towers down. Most people think lies are simple tricks. Actually, lies are complex systems that demand endless upkeep.
Humans never see the full cost upfront because lies feel easy at first. One small lie seems harmless and manageable. But lies multiply like rabbits in spring. Each new lie must fit perfectly with old lies. The brain becomes a juggler with too many balls. People focus on immediate escape from trouble. They ignore the growing weight of future problems.
This reveals something beautiful about human optimism and terrible planning skills. Liars genuinely believe they can handle infinite complexity with limited brain power. They think they are master architects building simple structures. Instead, they create monsters that devour their mental energy. This overconfidence makes humans both foolish and wonderfully ambitious. They attempt impossible tasks with cheerful determination.
Lessons for Today
Understanding this wisdom helps us recognize both the temptation and the trap of dishonesty. When facing difficult situations, we might see lies as easy solutions. This proverb reminds us to consider the full cost, not just the immediate benefit.
The insight applies beyond obvious lies to smaller deceptions we tell ourselves and others. Exaggerating accomplishments, hiding mistakes, or pretending to agree when we don’t all create similar burdens. Each small dishonesty requires mental energy to maintain. We must remember what we said and to whom. We risk being discovered and losing credibility. These minor deceptions accumulate, creating stress and complicating our relationships.
In relationships and communities, this wisdom encourages patience with truth-telling. Honest conversations might feel harder initially, but they create sustainable foundations. When we tell the truth about problems, mistakes, or disagreements, we deal with reality directly. This allows for genuine solutions and authentic connections. Groups that value honesty can focus their energy on solving real problems rather than managing false narratives.
The proverb doesn’t suggest that truth-telling is always easy or immediately rewarded. Sometimes honesty brings short-term difficulties. But it offers something lies cannot: freedom from the exhausting work of deception maintenance. Truth-tellers sleep better because they don’t worry about their stories falling apart. They build relationships that can weather difficulties because they’re based on reality rather than carefully managed impressions.
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