It is more from carelessness about truth than from intentional lying that there is so much falsehood in the world.

The line is presented as something Johnson said during a breakfast conversation in 1778, as recorded later by his biographer James Boswell. Johnson was urging strict truthfulness in everyday details when recounting events, arguing that small inaccuracies can snowball. A hostess objected that constant precision would be burdensome, and Johnson replied with this observation about how falsehood spreads.

Johnson’s point is that much misinformation comes from people being sloppy or inattentive about accuracy rather than from deliberate deception. He frames truthfulness as a habit that requires ongoing vigilance, even in minor details.

“Well, Madam, and you ought to be perpetually watching. It is more from carelessness about truth than from intentional lying, that there is so much falsehood in the world.”