- English translation
Bring a lying suit, and the judge's purse comes open.
- Literal wording
The false claim opens the judge's purse.
- Meaning and lesson
The picture is of a judge whose money pouch opens to receive payment when a knowingly false claim is laid before him. A case with no truth behind it cannot stand on its own, so the saying ties it to payments meant to sway the verdict. Deliberately dishonest litigation is thus shown as something that gives rise to bribery.
More broadly, it suggests that falsehood and corruption go hand in hand: a lie pursued through formal channels tends to pull money into the process. It targets bribery prompted by false claims in general, not any particular court system, and can rebuke someone pressing a baseless claim or mock justice that can be bought.
- When it is used
Fits remarks about someone knowingly pressing a false complaint or accusation through official channels and turning to payments to secure a favorable decision. It suits critical or wry comment on bribery in the settling of disputes.
Cite or copy proverb
How this record reached us: Editorially sourced.
Report an issue with this meaning: Bring a lying suit, and the judge's purse comes open.