--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: FIB, n. A lie that has not cut its teeth…" description: "\"FIB, n. A lie that has not cut its teeth. An habitual liar's nearest approach to truth: the perigee of his eccentric orbit.\" — Ambrose Bierce" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5d5/ambrose-bierce-140_approach_fib-n-a-lie-that-has-not-cut-its-teeth-a_1162199.jpg" --- # FIB, n. A lie that has not cut its teeth. An habitual… ![“FIB, n. A lie that has not cut its teeth. An habitual liar's nearest approach to truth: the perigee of his eccentric orbit.” quote by Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5d5/ambrose-bierce-140_approach_fib-n-a-lie-that-has-not-cut-its-teeth-a_1162199.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5d5/ambrose-bierce-140_approach_fib-n-a-lie-that-has-not-cut-its-teeth-a_1162199.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5d5/ambrose-bierce-140_approach_fib-n-a-lie-that-has-not-cut-its-teeth-a_1162199.jpg) > “FIB, n. A lie that has not cut its teeth. An habitual liar's nearest approach to truth: the perigee of his eccentric orbit.” [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A lie that is still harmless because it hasn't caused any damage yet; a liar's closest thing to truth is a small, harmless falsehood. **In simple terms:** Harmless lies before they cause harm. Key Takeaway Beware small lies before they grow. Themes deception truth language Mood cautious reflective Type aphilosophical observational When to use this quote - personal relationships - political rhetoric - media reporting Key Concepts Ethics psychology communication Questions to Reflect On - When did a small lie become a big problem? - How do you spot harmless lies before they spread? A Different Perspective Even tiny lies can erode trust over time. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Approach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/approach/) [Cutting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cutting/) [Eccentric](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eccentric/) [Eccentric Orbit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eccentric-orbit-1994659/) [Habitual](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/habitual/) [Habitual Liar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/habitual-liar-3332754/) [Liar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/liar/) [Liar Nearest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/liar-nearest-3332755/) [Liars](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/liars/) [Lying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lying/) [Orbit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/orbit/) [Teeth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/teeth/) [Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth/) [Truth Perigee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth-perigee-3332756/) ## Related quotes > [There is something eccentric in the orbit of Mars.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tycho-brahe/there-is-something-eccentric-in-the-orbit-of-mars/) [Tycho Brahe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tycho-brahe/) > [“no man is as offended at doubt as is the habitual liar who has for once told the truth.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-a-macavoy/no-man-is-as-offended-at-doubt-as-is-the-habitual-liar-who-has-for/) [R.A. MacAvoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-a-macavoy/) > [Thus far we have considered the problem of conservation of land purely as an economic issue. A false front of exclusively economic determinism is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldo-leopold/thus-far-we-have-considered-the-problem-of-conservation-of-land/) [Aldo Leopold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldo-leopold/) > [Perhaps one of the main antidotes to depression, lack of self-esteem, loneliness and so forth is the recognition that we really do have Buddha…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tenzin-palmo/perhaps-one-of-the-main-antidotes-to-depression-lack-of-self-esteem/) [Tenzin Palmo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tenzin-palmo/) > [It's not what we do once in a while that counts, but our habitual actions. What ultimately determines who we become and where we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-robbins/it-s-not-what-we-do-once-in-a-while-that-counts-but-our-habitual/) [Tony Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-robbins/) > [Love itself is not an act of will, but sometimes I need the force of my volition to break with my habitual responses and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hugh-prather/love-itself-is-not-an-act-of-will-but-sometimes-i-need-the-force-of/) [Hugh Prather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hugh-prather/) > [The sad part is that all we're trying to do is not feel that underlying uneasiness. The sadder part is that we proceed in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/the-sad-part-is-that-all-we-re-trying-to-do-is-not-feel-that/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [We are what we think we are. The habitual inclination of our thoughts determines our talents and abilities, and our personality. So whatever you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paramahansa-yogananda/we-are-what-we-think-we-are-the-habitual-inclination-of-our-thoughts/) [Paramahansa Yogananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paramahansa-yogananda/) > [I am sure that the sad days and happenings were rare, and that I lived the joyous and careless life of other children; but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierre-loti/i-am-sure-that-the-sad-days-and-happenings-were-rare-and-that-i-lived/) [Pierre Loti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierre-loti/) > [ “But it is doubtless true, and evident from \[the\] Scriptures, that the essence of all true religion lies in holy love; and that in… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-edwards/but-it-is-doubtless-true-and-evident-from-the-scriptures-that-the/) [Jonathan Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-edwards/) > [It's a matter of ABC: When we encounter ADVERSITY, we react by thinking about it. Our thoughts rapidly congeal into BELIEFS. These beliefs may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-seligman/it-s-a-matter-of-abc-when-we-encounter-adversity-we-react-by-thinking/) [Martin Seligman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-seligman/) > [O Heavenly Father, convert my religion from a name to a principle! Bring all my thoughts and movements into an habitual reference to Thee!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-chalmers/o-heavenly-father-convert-my-religion-from-a-name-to-a-principle/) [Thomas Chalmers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-chalmers/) > [The mind has powers that allow us to go beyond our normal or habitual way of being, and beyond what we think is possible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-jaworski/the-mind-has-powers-that-allow-us-to-go-beyond-our-normal-or-habitual/) [Joseph Jaworski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-jaworski/) > [People aren't religious because it's easy not to be. Like anything, it's habitual, and once it's a habit it's no longer hard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matisyahu/people-aren-t-religious-because-it-s-easy-not-to-be-like-anything-it/) [Matisyahu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matisyahu/) > [Once we're thrown off our habitual paths, we think all is lost, but it's only here that the new and the good begins.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/once-we-re-thrown-off-our-habitual-paths-we-think-all-is-lost-but-it/) [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) ## More by Ambrose Bierce > [OBSESSED, p.p. Vexed by an evil spirit, like the Gadarene swine and other critics. Obsession was once more common than it is now. Arasthus…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/obsessed-p-p-vexed-by-an-evil-spirit-like-the-gadarene-swine-and/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [DECIDE, v.i. To succumb to the preponderance of one set of influences over another set.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/decide-v-i-to-succumb-to-the-preponderance-of-one-set-of-influences/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [IMMORAL, adj. Inexpedient. Whatever in the long run and with regard to the greater number of instances men find to be generally inexpedient comes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/immoral-adj-inexpedient-whatever-in-the-long-run-and-with-regard-to/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [REVIEW, v.t. To set your wisdom (holding not a doubt of it./ Although in truth there's neither bone nor skin to it)/ At work…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/review-v-t-to-set-your-wisdom-holding-not-a-doubt-of-it-although-in/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [CLOCK, n. A machine of great moral value to man, allaying his concern for the future by reminding him what a lot of time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/clock-n-a-machine-of-great-moral-value-to-man-allaying-his-concern/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [RUBBISH, n. Worthless matter, such as the religions, philosophies, literatures, arts and sciences of the tribes infesting the regions lying due south from Boreaplas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/rubbish-n-worthless-matter-such-as-the-religions-philosophies/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [There was never a genius who was not thought a fool until he disclosed himself; whereas he is a fool then only.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/there-was-never-a-genius-who-was-not-thought-a-fool-until-he/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [Telephone, n. An invention of the devil which abrogates some of the advantages of making a disagreeable person keep his distance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/telephone-n-an-invention-of-the-devil-which-abrogates-some-of-the/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [WHANGDEPOOTENAWAH, n. In the Ojibwa tongue, disaster; an unexpected affliction that strikes hard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/whangdepootenawah-n-in-the-ojibwa-tongue-disaster-an-unexpected/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [Jealous, adj. Unduly concerned about the preservation of that which can be lost only if not worth keeping.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/jealous-adj-unduly-concerned-about-the-preservation-of-that-which-can/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [RIDICULE, n. Words designed to show that the person of whom they are uttered is devoid of the dignity of character distinguishing him who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/ridicule-n-words-designed-to-show-that-the-person-of-whom-they-are/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [Think twice before you speak to a friend in need](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/think-twice-before-you-speak-to-a-friend-in-need/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [HERMIT, n. A person whose vices and follies are not sociable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/hermit-n-a-person-whose-vices-and-follies-are-not-sociable/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [TARIFF, n. A scale of taxes on imports, designed to protect the domestic producer against the greed of his consumer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/tariff-n-a-scale-of-taxes-on-imports-designed-to-protect-the-domestic/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [A bad marriage is like an electrical thrilling machine: it makes you dance, but you can't let go.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/a-bad-marriage-is-like-an-electrical-thrilling-machine-it-makes-you/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) [Explore all 1,157 Ambrose Bierce quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) ## More Approach quotes > [I think a new world will arise out of the religious mists when we approach our Bible with the idea that it is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/i-think-a-new-world-will-arise-out-of-the-religious-mists-when-we/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [I'm in a business where there's complete anarchy. You can't control it - you can only react to it. The control that people traditionally…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-sorrell/i-m-in-a-business-where-there-s-complete-anarchy-you-can-t-control-it/) [Martin Sorrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-sorrell/) > [When you approach something to photograph it, first be still with yourself until the object of your attention affirms your presence. Then don't leave…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/minor-white/when-you-approach-something-to-photograph-it-first-be-still-with/) [Minor White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/minor-white/) > [We do not want to be reminded that it is we, the indigenous people, who are poor and exploited in the land of our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-biko/we-do-not-want-to-be-reminded-that-it-is-we-the-indigenous-people-who/) [Steven Biko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-biko/) > [One of the things I regret about not putting in that book or I think it's there but I didn't really elaborate on it,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-warner/one-of-the-things-i-regret-about-not-putting-in-that-book-or-i-think/) [Brad Warner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-warner/) > [Ideal for the child and society in the best of times, Rudolf Steiner's brilliant process of education is critically needed and profoundly relevant now…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-chilton-pearce/ideal-for-the-child-and-society-in-the-best-of-times-rudolf-steiner-s/) [Joseph Chilton Pearce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-chilton-pearce/) > [I don't have any particular method, my approach is very simple. 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What has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-paul/like-a-morning-dream-life-becomes-more-and-more-bright-the-longer-we/) [Jean Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-paul/) > [What begins as a Utopian vision, always - always - ends in bloodshed. Because you have to force a utopia on a free people.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-gutfeld/what-begins-as-a-utopian-vision-always-always-ends-in-bloodshed/) [Greg Gutfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-gutfeld/) > [The only two good words that can be said for a hurricane are that it gives sufficient warning of its approach, and that it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gertrude-atherton/the-only-two-good-words-that-can-be-said-for-a-hurricane-are-that-it/) [Gertrude Atherton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gertrude-atherton/) [Browse all 3,949 Approach quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/approach/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "FIB, n. 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