One lie spoils a thousand truths.

What it means

Trust is built slowly and lost fast. A single lie makes people doubt everything else you have said. Guard your word as if it were your whole record, because it is.

The source

"One lie spoils a thousand truths." This Akan proverb is recorded in Rattray, Ashanti Proverbs (1916), no. 609. Translated by Rattray, 1916.

"One falsehood spoils a thousand truths."

Rattray, 1916, Rattray, Ashanti Proverbs (1916), no. 609. Text read at archive.org.

Who said it

Proverbs of the world (Every age). Sayings from the Latin, Greek, Norse, Japanese, Chinese and more, each traced to an old source in its own language.

Questions

What does "One lie spoils a thousand truths." mean?

Trust is built slowly and lost fast. A single lie makes people doubt everything else you have said. Guard your word as if it were your whole record, because it is.

Who said "One lie spoils a thousand truths."?

Akan proverb. Source: Rattray, Ashanti Proverbs (1916), no. 609.

What is the original wording?

One falsehood spoils a thousand truths (Rattray, 1916). Translated by Rattray, 1916.

Is "One lie spoils a thousand truths." on a shirt?

Yes. We print it to order on our tees in 7 illustrated looks, from $44, with free US shipping.

"One lie spoils a thousand truths." (Akan proverb, Rattray, Ashanti Proverbs (1916), no. 609, trans. Rattray, 1916). https://spartansurfers.com/quotes/one-lie-spoils-a-thousand-truths