In the case of the Herbology textbook, I believe the word I was used was 'sneaky.' I meant it rather admiringly, almost, because it was quite a clever thing to do, really, wasn't it? Of course, perhaps it was a Ravenclaw who thought up that trick.

I certainly agree with you that people who think they have to lie might not enjoy it.

I am rather curious: what do you think is the difference between being cunning and being deceitful? I suppose it might be like the distinction between being courageous and being reckless for a Gryffindor, or being loyal or being insular for a Hufflepuff. (Or being witty or being coldly cutting for a Ravenclaw, for that matter.) Do you think there is any point to making generalisations about the Houses? Or are we doomed to turn the generalisations into weapons we use to badger and condemn each other?