How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
"But he says he didn't write this."
"An obvious untruth. His every word is false. He speaks with a forked tongue!" (13.228)
Ignatius tries to blame Mr. Gonzalez for writing the letter to Abelman. What Ignatius says is pretty much true… as a description not of Gonzalez, but of himself. It's he who is speaking an obvious untruth; it's he whose every word is false.
Quote #8
So he had written it after all. Mr. Levy looked tenderly down at the little accused party snoring over her box of Dutch cookies. For everyone's sake, he thought, you will have to be declared incompetent and confess, Miss Trixie. You are being framed. Mr. Levy laughed out loud. Why had Miss Trixie confessed so sincerely? (13.323)
Ignatius's lie turns out best for everyone. This is maybe the point in the novel that shows most clearly that Confederacy doesn't really make a moral stand against lies or liars. It's not a book about how those who deceive get what's coming to them, and the novel instead seems to appreciate a good whopper for its audacity. Especially good lies, it suggests (at least in this case) should be rewarded.
Quote #9
"This is Ignatius Reilly," he said when Santa had answered. "Is my mother coming down there tonight?"
"No, she ain't," Santa replied coldly. "I ain't spoke with your momma all day."
Ignatius hung up. Something was going on. (14.51-53)
Santa isn't a particularly good liar. Why not just admit that Mrs. Reilly is coming over? Or, if she doesn't want to do that, why not keep quiet about the rest of it? In her eagerness to bamboozle Ignatius, she lets him know something's up, since he overheard his mom talking to Santa earlier. Lying isn't easy, and it takes practice. Maybe that's why Ignatius lies even when it doesn't seem like he has to—he doesn't want to get out of shape.