of truth and other fictions . . . .

A very interesting remark in Pepys’s diary: 



. . . Thence going out of White Hall, I met Captain Grove, who did give me a letter directed to myself from himself. I discerned money to be in it, and took it, knowing, as I found it to be, the proceed of the place I have got him to be, the taking up of vessels for Tangier. But I did not open it till I came home to my office, and there I broke it open, not looking into it till all the money was out, that I might say I saw no money in the paper, if ever I should be questioned about it. There was a piece in gold and 4l. in silver.


This is kind of fascinating.  Pepys is a pretty honorable and trustworthy man, and represents himself as such in his diary.  But “I can honestly say that I didn’t see any money in that envelope” profoundly separates the letter from the spirit of the truth!  Do lawyers still employ this kind of literal sophistry?

“Your Honor, I can honestly say that I never opened that envelope.”  (My secretary did.)

He knows that God is watching him.  Does he think that God can be flimflammed this easily?

Then again, what do I know about God? 

Joe