XIX. Finally, by contemplating a lie in all its extent, I find it so
inconvenient to the life of man, that I am disposed to think the whole
rigour of the laws should be levelled against it, and that it should
be treated as a most pestiferous enemy to human society. Zoroaster
the famous legislator of the Persians, or Zerduscht, which according
to the learned Thomas Hyde was his name, in which sentiment Thomas
Stanley differs but little from him, he writing it Zaraduissit; from
all which we may conclude, that the changing his name to Zoroaster,
was an alteration made by the Greeks to make it correspond the better
with their own language; but to have done with criticising upon his
name, he in the statutes he formed for the government of that nation,
estimated a lie, as one of the most serious crimes a man could commit.
I must confess; that he erred in this as a Theologian; but that he was
quite right, and acted wisely as a politician; because no better means
can be fallen upon, to make men live happy in society, than that of
introducing among them, an utter abhorrence of a lie; and on the other
hand, if the great propensity in man to lying is not curbed, although
the rest of the laws should be ever so pious and just, they will not be
able to prevent innumerable mischiefs and disorders.