What [my father] didn’t say, but what was understood, was…
![“What [my father] didn’t say, but what was understood, was that he needed me to lie for him from then on, and lie like a professional. I had license to dissimulate, fabricate, invent, cover-up, and deceive if necessary. There was a greater good.” quote by Scott C. Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/q/img-quotes/745/scott-c-johnson-68627_fabricate_what-my-father-didn-t-say-but-what-was-u_281295.jpg)
““What [my father] didn’t say, but what was understood, was that he needed me to lie for him from then on, and lie like a professional. I had license to dissimulate, fabricate, invent, cover-up, and deceive if necessary. There was a greater good.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The speaker describes being tasked to lie for a higher purpose, raising moral ambiguity about deception for perceived greater good.
In simple terms: He was asked to lie for a cause.
Key Takeaway
Question the ethics of lying for a cause.
Themes
ethics
deception
loyalty
Mood
conflicted
serious
Type
ethical
reflective
When to use this quote
- political activism
- journalism
- personal relationships
- legal defense
Key Concepts
moral relativism
trust
integrity
Questions to Reflect On
- Is it ever justified to lie for a greater good?
- What are the long‑term costs of such deception?
A Different Perspective
Deception can erode trust and personal integrity.