He that is detected for being a notorious liar, besides the ignominy and
reproach of the thing, incurs this mischief, that he will scarce be able
to get any one to believe him again as long as he lives. However true
our complaint may be, or how much soever it may be for our interest to
have it believed, yet, if we have been frequently caught tripping
before, we shall hardly be able to gain credit to what we relate
afterwards. Though mankind are generally stupid enough to be often
imposed upon, yet few are so senseless as to believe a notorious liar,
or to trust a cheat upon record. These little shams, when found out, are
sufficiently prejudicial to the interest of every private person who
practises them. But, when we are alarmed with imaginary dangers in
respect of the public, till the cry grows quite stale and threadbare,
how can it be expected we should know when to guard ourselves against
real ones.