Quote by George Bernard Shaw
Just as the liar's punishment is, not in the least that he is not believed, but that he cannot believe any one else; so a guilty society can more easily be persuaded that any apparently innocent act is guilty than that any apparently guilty act is innocent.
Summary
This quote suggests that the punishment for a liar is not solely about not being trusted by others, but rather that they become incapable of trusting others themselves. Similarly, a society plagued with guilt is more likely to suspect innocence as guilt, rather than seeing guilt as innocence. It highlights how a guilty mindset can distort perception and make it easier to attribute negative motives to seemingly innocent actions. By emphasizing the implications of mistrust and guilt in both individual and societal contexts, the quote underscores the profound consequences of dishonesty and a guilty conscience.