To accept the last half-dozen of proverbs too absolutely would often lead us to uncharitable conclusions; we must, therefore, temper our belief in these maxims by means of their opposites, such as this:—
Common fame is a common liar.
"Hearsay is half lies" (German, Italian).[609] "Hear the other side, and believe little" (Italian).[610]
Witness George Colman's story of the Three Black Crows.
The devil is not so black as he is painted.
Nor is the lion so fierce (Spanish).[611] "Report makes the wolf bigger than he is" (German).[612]
It is a sin to belie the devil.
Give the devil his due.
If one's name be up he may lie in bed.
"Get a good name and go to sleep" (Spanish).[613] So do many. Hence it is often better to intrust the execution of a work to be done to an obscure man than to one whose reputation is established.
One man may better steal a horse than another look over the hedge.