---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A lie is still a lie, regardless of the…"
description: "\"A lie is still a lie, regardless of the reason behind it. You can say you did it for a good cause but the point is, you still did it.\" — Anonymous"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0bd/anonymous-1_guilt_a-lie-is-still-a-lie-regardless-of-the-r_2102729.jpg"
---

#  A lie is still a lie, regardless of the reason behind it…

![“A lie is still a lie, regardless of the reason behind it. You can say you did it for a good cause but the point is, you still did it.” quote by Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0bd/anonymous-1_guilt_a-lie-is-still-a-lie-regardless-of-the-r_2102729.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0bd/anonymous-1_guilt_a-lie-is-still-a-lie-regardless-of-the-r_2102729.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0bd/anonymous-1_guilt_a-lie-is-still-a-lie-regardless-of-the-r_2102729.jpg)

> “A lie is still a lie, regardless of the reason behind it. You can say you did it for a good cause but the point is, you still did it.”

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

## 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 remains false regardless of intentions; moral justification does not change its falsehood.

**In simple terms:** Lying is always lying.

Key Takeaway

Avoid deceit even for good causes.

Themes

ethics truth morality integrity justification

Mood

thoughtful serious

Type

ethical philosophical

When to use this quote

- politics
- personal relationships
- business decisions

Key Concepts

philosophy psychology social behavior

Questions to Reflect On

- Can a lie ever be morally acceptable?
- What are the consequences of justified deceit?

A Different Perspective

May overlook complex moral dilemmas.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Good cause](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-cause/) [Guilt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/guilt/) [Lies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lies/) [Reason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reason/) [Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth/)

## Related quotes

> [A lie is still a lie, regardless of the reason behind it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-raj/a-lie-is-still-a-lie-regardless-of-the-reason-behind-it/)

[Don Raj](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-raj/)

> [“Maria: You're so sweet. And the lies you tell are sweet too. You put a lovely spin on things to make people happy. Yusuke:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miyoshi-tomori/maria-you-re-so-sweet-and-the-lies-you-tell-are-sweet-too-you-put-a/)

[Miyoshi Tomori](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miyoshi-tomori/)

> [Now I know the reason why they say If you love someone set them free. It hurts but it's true.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/now-i-know-the-reason-why-they-say-if-you-love-someone-set-them-free/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Everything happens for a reason. Say if I don't get a role, it may be that it would have stopped me getting another role.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophie-lowe/everything-happens-for-a-reason-say-if-i-don-t-get-a-role-it-may-be/)

[Sophie Lowe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophie-lowe/)

> [“There is a valid reason why they say live everyday as if it were your last, the truth is…, there is no tomorrow -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/une-ameji/there-is-a-valid-reason-why-they-say-live-everyday-as-if-it-were-your/)

Uneñ Ameji

> [It is a woman's reason to say I will do such a thing because I will.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremiah-burroughs/it-is-a-woman-s-reason-to-say-i-will-do-such-a-thing-because-i-will/)

[Jeremiah Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremiah-burroughs/)

> [In any relationship that comes to an end, there's never just a baseline reason why. You say, 'Oh, I broke up with my girlfriend.'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-rapaport/in-any-relationship-that-comes-to-an-end-there-s-never-just-a/)

[Michael Rapaport](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-rapaport/)

> [“You're trying to find it. You're probably trying to find- the reason that you live- all by yourself. Because...because, in reality, there aren't any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natsuki-takaya/you-re-trying-to-find-it-you-re-probably-trying-to-find-the-reason/)

[Natsuki Takaya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natsuki-takaya/)

> [The reason you will not say it is, when you say it, even to yourself, you will know it is true.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-faulkner/the-reason-you-will-not-say-it-is-when-you-say-it-even-to-yourself/)

[William Faulkner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-faulkner/)

> [She wouldn't say what we both knew. 'The reason you will not say it is, when you say it, even to yourself, you will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-faulkner/she-wouldn-t-say-what-we-both-knew-the-reason-you-will-not-say-it-is/)

[William Faulkner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-faulkner/)

> [There's a reason they say,"Pride goeth before a fall.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-mead/there-s-a-reason-they-say-pride-goeth-before-a-fall/)

[Richelle Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-mead/)

> [“You are first and foremost a person. A reckless, foolish person, but a person nonetheless. If I ever say you are not permitted to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/renee-ahdieh/you-are-first-and-foremost-a-person-a-reckless-foolish-person-but-a/)

[Renee Ahdieh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/renee-ahdieh/)

> [“Some believe what separates men from animals is our ability to reason. Others say it’s language or romantic love, or opposable thumbs. Living here…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-conan-doyle/some-believe-what-separates-men-from-animals-is-our-ability-to-reason/)

[Arthur Conan Doyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-conan-doyle/)

> [“The only reason you say that race was not an issue is because you wish it was not. We all wish it was not.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chimamanda-ngozi-adichie/the-only-reason-you-say-that-race-was-not-an-issue-is-because-you/)

[Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chimamanda-ngozi-adichie/)

> [If the challenge wasn't there, there's no reason to say 'yes' to the role.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corey-hawkins/if-the-challenge-wasn-t-there-there-s-no-reason-to-say-yes-to-the-role/)

[Corey Hawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corey-hawkins/)

## More by Anonymous

> [And a tear rolled down her cheek, as she said goodbye; because she's walking away, and she's never looking back](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/and-a-tear-rolled-down-her-cheek-as-she-said-goodbye-because-she-s/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Life is full of change. That's how we learn and grow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-is-full-of-change-that-s-how-we-learn-and-grow/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [You'll seldom experience regret for anything that you've done. It is what you haven't done that will torment you. The message, therefore, is clear.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-ll-seldom-experience-regret-for-anything-that-you-ve-done-it-is/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Scrabble - The game is available in Braille. That’s a nice fact. This makes me feel better about humanity for some reason. I can’t…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/scrabble-the-game-is-available-in-braille-that-s-a-nice-fact-this/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Everyone needs someone to love, and I choose you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/everyone-needs-someone-to-love-and-i-choose-you/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [“THIS tale of my sore-troubled life I write,    To thank the God of nature, who conveyed    My soul to me, and with such care…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/this-tale-of-my-sore-troubled-life-i-write-to-thank-the-god-of-nature/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Put on my J's and dance the whole night away Im naughty by nature like Im hip-hop hooray With my hands in the sky,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/put-on-my-j-s-and-dance-the-whole-night-away-im-naughty-by-nature/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Me.. I have been through a lot, but I still manage to have a smile on my face. Im not worried about the past…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/me-i-have-been-through-a-lot-but-i-still-manage-to-have-a-smile-on-my/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Distance is a test of love. many will fail for those who can't withstand it, but for those who can, theres only one answer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/distance-is-a-test-of-love-many-will-fail-for-those-who-can-t/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Im sorry I ever tried...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/im-sorry-i-ever-tried/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Being betrayed by the one you love is the worst feeling in the world...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/being-betrayed-by-the-one-you-love-is-the-worst-feeling-in-the-world/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Let children support their parents or be imprisoned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/let-children-support-their-parents-or-be-imprisoned/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [The only person I've ever purposely caused pain here is myself...By simply sharing, caring too much.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-only-person-i-ve-ever-purposely-caused-pain-here-is-myself-by/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [“Start a business, not a startup”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/start-a-business-not-a-startup/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [The truth is, of course, that the curtness of the Ten Commandments is an evidence, not of the gloom and narrowness of a religion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-truth-is-of-course-that-the-curtness-of-the-ten-commandments-is/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

[Explore all 162,899 Anonymous quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

## More Good cause quotes

> [If good people would but make goodness agreeable, and smile instead of frowning in their virtue, how many they would win to the good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-ussher/if-good-people-would-but-make-goodness-agreeable-and-smile-instead-of/)

[James Ussher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-ussher/)

> [You're trying to tell me that everything you've done is for a good cause. You think that all this killing is worth it because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-horowitz/you-re-trying-to-tell-me-that-everything-you-ve-done-is-for-a-good/)

[Anthony Horowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-horowitz/)

> [It takes more than clicking like for a good cause to change the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-oh/it-takes-more-than-clicking-like-for-a-good-cause-to-change-the-world/)

Michael Oh

> [Let us go forward in this battle fortified by conviction that those who labour in the service of a great and good cause will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/owen-arthur/let-us-go-forward-in-this-battle-fortified-by-conviction-that-those/)

[Owen Arthur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/owen-arthur/)

> [A try for a good cause doesn't fail if done with genuine faith and heartiest intention.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anuj-somany/a-try-for-a-good-cause-doesn-t-fail-if-done-with-genuine-faith-and/)

[Anuj Somany](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anuj-somany/)

> [I've spent my life at public work, and I've spent many a day on a good cause that didn't have any lift, didn't have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-de-blasio/i-ve-spent-my-life-at-public-work-and-i-ve-spent-many-a-day-on-a-good/)

[Bill de Blasio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-de-blasio/)

> [Bravery is good when the cause is good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernhard-schlink/bravery-is-good-when-the-cause-is-good/)

[Bernhard Schlink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernhard-schlink/)

> [YOU ARE NOT ONLY GOOD TO YOURSELF, BUT THE CAUSE OF GOODNESS IN OTHERS](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/socrates/you-are-not-only-good-to-yourself-but-the-cause-of-goodness-in-others/)

[Socrates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/socrates/)

> [“Everyone has good cause for suicide, or at least it seems that way to those who search for it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kay-redfield-jamison/everyone-has-good-cause-for-suicide-or-at-least-it-seems-that-way-to/)

[Kay Redfield Jamison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kay-redfield-jamison/)

> [When death is so certain, it is better to die for a good cause.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/when-death-is-so-certain-it-is-better-to-die-for-a-good-cause/)

[Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/)

> [It's always exciting to get together with fellow artists to support a good cause.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frankie-j-grande/it-s-always-exciting-to-get-together-with-fellow-artists-to-support-a/)

[Frankie J. Grande](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frankie-j-grande/)

> [A good cause can become bad if we fight for it with means that are indiscriminately murderous. A bad cause can become good if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/freeman-dyson/a-good-cause-can-become-bad-if-we-fight-for-it-with-means-that-are/)

[Freeman Dyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/freeman-dyson/)

> [I am always in awe of people who devote their lives to a good cause and are brave enough to take a stance, though…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rebecca-pidgeon/i-am-always-in-awe-of-people-who-devote-their-lives-to-a-good-cause/)

[Rebecca Pidgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rebecca-pidgeon/)

> [If good people would make their goodness agreeable, and smile instead of frowning in their virtue, how many would they win to the good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-ussher/if-good-people-would-make-their-goodness-agreeable-and-smile-instead/)

[James Ussher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-ussher/)

> [“There's a certain drama in going down in a good cause. Any decent politician is masochistic enough to dream now and then of going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaac-asimov/there-s-a-certain-drama-in-going-down-in-a-good-cause-any-decent/)

[Isaac Asimov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaac-asimov/)

[Browse all 59 Good cause quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-cause/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "A lie is still a lie, regardless of the reason behind it. You can say you did it for a good cause but the point is, you still did it.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Anonymous"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-lie-is-still-a-lie-regardless-of-the-reason-behind-it-you-can-say/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Good cause"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-lie-is-still-a-lie-regardless-of-the-reason-behind-it-you-can-say/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0bd/anonymous-1_guilt_a-lie-is-still-a-lie-regardless-of-the-r_2102729.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0bd/anonymous-1_guilt_a-lie-is-still-a-lie-regardless-of-the-r_2102729.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0bd/anonymous-1_guilt_a-lie-is-still-a-lie-regardless-of-the-r_2102729.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“A lie is still a lie, regardless of the reason behind it. You can say you did it for a good cause but the…” — Anonymous",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Anonymous",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "A lie is still a lie,...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-lie-is-still-a-lie-regardless-of-the-reason-behind-it-you-can-say/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-lie-is-still-a-lie-regardless-of-the-reason-behind-it-you-can-say/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
