Believe Quote by Arthur Schopenhauer
“If we suspect that a man is lying, we should pretend to believe him; for then he becomes bold and assured, lies more vigorously, and is unmasked.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Art of Contention, 1843
Pretending to believe a liar encourages them to lie more boldly, revealing their deceit.
In simple terms: Feigning belief can expose a liar.
Key Takeaway
Use cautious skepticism when suspecting deceit.
Themes
deception
truth
psychology
communication
Mood
cautious
analytical
Type
philosophical
practical
When to use this quote
- negotiations
- investigations
- personal relationships
- media analysis
Key Concepts
skepticism
social dynamics
ethics
Questions to Reflect On
- When should you confront a liar?
- How can you protect yourself without provoking aggression?
A Different Perspective
If the liar senses doubt, they may stop lying altogether.
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![“[Materialism] seeks the primary and most simple state of matter, and then tries to develop all the others from it; ascending from mere mechanism, to chemism, to polarity, to the vegetable and to the animal kingdom. And if we suppose this to have been done, the last link in the chain would be…” quote by Arthur Schopenhauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/88c/arthur-schopenhauer-226_animal-kingdom_materialism-seeks-the-primary-and-most-s_50402.jpg)
