tell the truth and shame the devil

We must always tell the truth, even when it would be to our benefit or advantage to tell a lie. A: "But you could go to jail if you tell the police what happened!" B: "Maybe. But I was raised to tell the truth and shame the devil."

See also: and, devil, shame, tell, truth

Tell the truth and shame the devil.

Prov. to tell the truth even though you have strong reasons for concealing it. Jill: Have you been using my computer without asking permission? Jane: Uh... no.... Jill: Come on, Jane, tell the truth and shame the devil.

See also: and, devil, shame, tell, truth

References in periodicals archive ?

So, tell the truth and shame the devil? Right, and end up with no friends and no family with whom to exchange all those lies which make life liveable.

Porkies over the pressies

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tell people or things apart
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tempest in a teapot
tempest in a teapot, a
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tell tales
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Tell Them I Love Them
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