Germany

Whoever lies once is not believed, even when telling the truth. 

Wer einmal lügt, dem glaubt man nicht, und wenn er auch die Wahrheit spricht.

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Cultural Note

Trust is fragile, once broken, it's hard to restore. Germans treat this less as a threat and more as a simple fact of life.

English equivalent:

A liar won’t be believed, even when he tells the truth.

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