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The Golden Compass Lies and Deceit Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #1

"What is it?" she said.

"It's an alethiometer. It's one of only six that were ever made. Lyra, I urge to again: keep it private. It would be better if Mrs. Coulter didn't know about it. Your uncle --"

"But what does it do?"

"It tells you the truth. As for how to read it, you'll have to learn by yourself." (4.75-78)

Though she tells tall tales, Lyra is the one who receives the gift of the alethiometer.

Quote #2

"Yes, it might have been. Or else it might've been just in passing. Yes. I think that was it. This Scholar, I think he was from New Denmark, he was talking to the Chaplain about Dust and I was just passing and it sounded interesting so I couldn't help stopping to listen. That's what it was." (5.14)

Lyra often uses her facility with words to gather information or get out of sticky situations.

Quote #3

"That's a Greek word. I reckon it's from aletheia, which means truth. It's a truth measure." (7.118)

We learn that the root word of the "alethiometer" is truth. Is it possible to measure truth?