Two Men were buying meat at a Butcherâs stall in the marketplace, and, while the Butcherâs back was turned for a moment, one of them snatched up a joint and hastily thrust it under the otherâs cloak, where it could not be seen. When the Butcher turned round, he missed the meat at once, and charged them with having stolen it: but the one who had taken it said he hadnât got it, and the one who had got it said he hadnât taken it. The Butcher felt sure they were deceiving him, but he only said, âYou may cheat me with your lying, but you canât cheat the gods, and they wonât let you off so lightly.â
Prevarication often amounts to perjury.