Lies have short legs — lies cannot travel far or last long. Because they are not supported by reality, they quickly collapse, are discovered, or simply cannot keep pace with the truth. Deception is a poor long-term strategy.
The image of the lie with short legs is one of the most vivid and original in Italian proverbial tradition. A lie cannot run fast or far: it has to be constantly propped up by further lies, which themselves require support, until the construction collapses under its own weight. By contrast, the truth has long legs — it walks steadily and enduringly, requiring no special maintenance. The proverb was used widely in Italian popular morality as a children's lesson — Pinocchio's growing nose is perhaps the most famous elaboration of the same principle in Italian cultural history, though Collodi's genius was to make the lie visible on the liar's body in real time. The Italian commercial and legal world, where contracts, testimony, and reputation were carefully examined, provided ample adult illustration: the fraudster whose story could not be sustained, the witness whose account contradicted itself, the merchant whose false claims about his goods were eventually tested. The proverb is one of the most commonly taught Italian sayings precisely because it is so accessible and its image so memorable, and because its truth is confirmed with predictable regularity.
One of the most beloved Italian national proverbs. The image of the short-legged lie finds its most famous cultural elaboration in Carlo Collodi's Pinocchio (1883). The proverbial form is documented from the 16th century.
After a child's small lie is quickly discovered
Hai detto che eri rimasto a casa, ma ti ha visto tua zia al parco. Le bugie hanno le gambe corte — lo sai?
You said you had stayed at home, but your aunt saw you at the park. Lies have short legs — you know that?
After a company's false advertising claim collapses under scrutiny
Dicevano che il prodotto era clinicamente testato. Non era vero. Le bugie hanno le gambe corte — la Guardia del Consumatore ha aperto un'indagine.
They said the product was clinically tested. It was not true. Lies have short legs — the Consumer Authority has opened an investigation.
Advising honesty in a difficult conversation
Digli la verità adesso, anche se è difficile. Le bugie hanno le gambe corte — prima o poi viene fuori lo stesso.
Tell him the truth now, even if it is hard. Lies have short legs — it comes out the same way sooner or later.
After a political deception is exposed
Aveva costruito tutta la campagna su dati falsi. Le bugie hanno le gambe corte — i giornalisti l'hanno smontato in una settimana.
He had built the entire campaign on false data. Lies have short legs — journalists dismantled it in a week.