# Quote — Orson Scott Card, Heartfire

> “This is today’s puzzle,” he said. “If the act of denial can be taken as proof of the crime, how can an innocent man defend himself?”
>
> The tithingmen caught him by the arms. “Come along now, Mr. Emerson, and don’t go trying any philosophy on us.”
>
> “Oh, I wouldn’t dream of it,” said Waldo. “Philosophy would be wasted against such sturdy-headed men as you.”
>
> “Glad you know it,” said the tithingman proudly. “Wouldn’t want you thinking we weren’t true Christians.”

- Author: [Orson Scott Card](https://www.leafyquotes.com/orson-scott-card.md)
- Book: [Heartfire](https://www.leafyquotes.com/orson-scott-card/heartfire.md)
- Source: [Wikiquote](https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Orson_Scott_Card#Heartfire_(1998)) ([CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/))
- Quote page: https://www.leafyquotes.com/orson-scott-card/heartfire/this-is-todays

## More from this book

> The first of a thousand lies. Truth flowed to Micah Quill, was sucked in and disappeared, and emerged again looking ever so much like it used to, but changed subtly, at the edges, where none would notice, so that simple truth became a complicated fabric indeed, one that could wrap you up so tightly and close you off from the air until you suffocated in it.

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/orson-scott-card/heartfire/the-first-of-a-thousand.md)

> Around here, ma'am, if folks got they mouth open, if they ain't eating then they lying.

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/orson-scott-card/heartfire/around-here-maam.md)

> When I am drunk I am at my best. It is the national knack of the French.

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/orson-scott-card/heartfire/when-i-am-drunk.md)