George Washington famously never told a lie. But wizards are definitely not above dishonesty, especially when it involves Muggles.
Hey, there's magical privacy to protect, and Muggles do tend to bring out the pitchforks when they think there's a witch in town.
But wizards aren't the only ones who make lying a way of life. As Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them tells us, fantastic beasts attract their prey or just amuse themselves through deception. It's enough to make a Muggle wonder—is lying always a bad thing? Maybe George Washington should have tried it once or twice?
Questions About Lies and Deceit
- Why is it so important to conceal the magical world from Muggles?
- Do you think it's okay to alter a person's memory (via Memory Charm) without their consent? Is constantly lying to Muggles a form of communal gaslighting?
- Many fantastic beasts attract their prey through deception—can you think of any non-magical animals that do this as well?