Tell all the Truth but tell it slant -- Success in Circuit lies Too bright for our infirm Delight The Truth's superb surprise As Lightning to the Children eased With explanation kind The Truth must dazzle gradually Or every man be blind --
Though I like this poem and feel comfortable about my understanding of it (that, while we shouldn't lie, we don't always need to give the truth in its gory details... especially to the children who might be confused by it) HERE is a link to some smarties from the University of Wisconsin who have more to say about it than I do.