tell the truth and shame the devil

tell the truth and shame the devil

We must always tell the truth, even when it would be to our benefit or advantage to tell a lie. A: "But you could go to jail if you tell the police what happened!" B: "Maybe. But I was raised to tell the truth and shame the devil."
See also: and, devil, shame, tell, truth
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

Tell the truth and shame the devil.

Prov. to tell the truth even though you have strong reasons for concealing it. Jill: Have you been using my computer without asking permission? Jane: Uh... no.... Jill: Come on, Jane, tell the truth and shame the devil.
See also: and, devil, shame, tell, truth
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • tell (one) about (someone or something)
  • tell about
  • tell the truth
  • to tell (you) the truth
  • tell
  • I can tell you
  • don't give me that line
  • don't give me that story
  • don't hand me that line
  • don't hand me that story
References in periodicals archive
So, tell the truth and shame the devil? Right, and end up with no friends and no family with whom to exchange all those lies which make life liveable.
Porkies over the pressies