--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: But there’s this giant deception at the…" description: "\"“But there’s this giant deception at the foundation of their relationship, their happiness. This impure motive. There was that small mistake that the w..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b8f/chris-pavone-3124_deception_but-there-s-this-giant-deception-at-the_622151.png" --- # But there’s this giant deception at the foundation of… ![“But there’s this giant deception at the foundation of their relationship, their happiness. This impure motive. There was that small mistake that the woman made, uttering the wrong number. And then the man reconstructed an entire intrigue, a big thick plot— a seduction and affair and relationship…” quote by Chris Pavone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b8f/chris-pavone-3124_deception_but-there-s-this-giant-deception-at-the_622151.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b8f/chris-pavone-3124_deception_but-there-s-this-giant-deception-at-the_622151.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b8f/chris-pavone-3124_deception_but-there-s-this-giant-deception-at-the_622151.png) > ““But there’s this giant deception at the foundation of their relationship, their happiness. This impure motive. There was that small mistake that the woman made, uttering the wrong number. And then the man reconstructed an entire intrigue, a big thick plot— a seduction and affair and relationship and marriage proposal, a whole life— around her error and his notice of it. Taking advantage of her lie. But does that make their relationship less real? Does that make it impossible that they genuinely love each other?”” [Chris Pavone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-pavone/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A small falsehood can spiral into a complex web of deception, raising questions about authenticity and love in relationships built on lies. **In simple terms:** A lie can grow into a huge, complicated relationship. Key Takeaway Examine the foundations of trust in love. Themes trust deception relationships truth love Mood reflective thoughtful Type literary philosophical When to use this quote - marriage counseling - relationship therapy - personal reflection - literary analysis - ethical debate Key Concepts psychology narrative construction ethical dilemmas Questions to Reflect On - Can love be genuine if built on a lie? - How does a single mistake reshape a partnership? A Different Perspective Love may persist despite falsehoods, but authenticity suffers. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Deception](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deception/) [Happiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happiness/) [Marriage proposal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/marriage-proposal/) [Relationship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/relationship/) [Wrong number](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wrong-number/) ## Related quotes > [You know, women are as promiscuous as men and yet, of course, people are inhibited from having an affair or a relationship because the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-child/you-know-women-are-as-promiscuous-as-men-and-yet-of-course-people-are/) [Lee Child](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-child/) > [“Nearly a Valediction" You happened to me. I was happened to like an abandoned building by a bull- dozer, like the van that missed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilyn-hacker/nearly-a-valediction-you-happened-to-me-i-was-happened-to-like-an/) [Marilyn Hacker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilyn-hacker/) > [Every Sunday my dad calls to ask if I went to church. And every Sunday I lie and say: Sorry. Wrong Number.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-jeselnik/every-sunday-my-dad-calls-to-ask-if-i-went-to-church-and-every-sunday/) [Anthony Jeselnik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-jeselnik/) > [“If the statistics are boring, then you've got the wrong numbers.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-tufte/if-the-statistics-are-boring-then-you-ve-got-the-wrong-numbers/) [Edward Tufte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-tufte/) > [Wrong number,says a familiar voice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/wrong-number-says-a-familiar-voice/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The truth is everybody does it from time to time. People dial telephone numbers and they get a wrong number only to find that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-jenner/the-truth-is-everybody-does-it-from-time-to-time-people-dial/) [Bruce Jenner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-jenner/) > [A teenage girl had been talking on the phone for about half an hour, and then she hung up. Wow!, said her father, That…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/troublemaker/a-teenage-girl-had-been-talking-on-the-phone-for-about-half-an-hour/) Troublemaker > [Well, if I called the wrong number, why did you answer the phone?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-thurber/well-if-i-called-the-wrong-number-why-did-you-answer-the-phone/) [James Thurber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-thurber/) > [“I’m so lonely, I just need somebody to call me—even if it’s a wrong number. I’m also hungry, so maybe that caller could order…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/i-m-so-lonely-i-just-need-somebody-to-call-me-even-if-it-s-a-wrong/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) > [Brookfield High School. How may I direct your call? No, sir, this is not a waste- disposal unit, I'm afraid you have the wrong…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jaclyn-moriarty/brookfield-high-school-how-may-i-direct-your-call-no-sir-this-is-not/) [Jaclyn Moriarty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jaclyn-moriarty/) > [“They're both convinced that a sudden passion joined them. Such certainty is beautiful, but uncertainty is more beautiful still. Since they'd never met before,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wislawa-szymborska/they-re-both-convinced-that-a-sudden-passion-joined-them-such/) [Wislawa Szymborska](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wislawa-szymborska/) > [That fail moment when you press the wrong numbers on the vending machine...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/that-fail-moment-when-you-press-the-wrong-numbers-on-the-vending/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Everyone I talked to was a recording-the bank, the elevator, your office, the school, a wrong number. You used to be able to call…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erma-bombeck/everyone-i-talked-to-was-a-recording-the-bank-the-elevator-your/) [Erma Bombeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erma-bombeck/) > [“She sniffs and shakes off her tears, then turns to me with an eager look. “So what’s the deal with him? How did you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashley-poston/she-sniffs-and-shakes-off-her-tears-then-turns-to-me-with-an-eager/) [Ashley Poston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashley-poston/) > [I can't build a simple shelf. I have no idea how to change an oil filter on a car. I can't even stick a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haruki-murakami/i-can-t-build-a-simple-shelf-i-have-no-idea-how-to-change-an-oil/) [Haruki Murakami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haruki-murakami/) ## More by Chris Pavone > [“They were ticking off items on a to-do list that was magnet-attached to the fridge. There were nineteen items on the list. They'd crossed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-pavone/they-were-ticking-off-items-on-a-to-do-list-that-was-magnet-attached/) [Chris Pavone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-pavone/) > [Lexicon grabbed me with the opening lines, and never let go. An absolutely thrilling story, featuring an array of compelling characters in an eerily…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-pavone/lexicon-grabbed-me-with-the-opening-lines-and-never-let-go-an/) [Chris Pavone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-pavone/) > [“You talking about computer weaknesses?" "Yes. But also human weaknesses." "Meaning what?" "Meaning the types of weaknesses that make humans let down their guard.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-pavone/you-talking-about-computer-weaknesses-yes-but-also-human-weaknesses/) [Chris Pavone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-pavone/) > [“She didn’t want to give the murder-pornography frame by frame. Didn’t want to recite her route across Manhattan, the length of the knife blade…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-pavone/she-didn-t-want-to-give-the-murder-pornography-frame-by-frame-didn-t/) [Chris Pavone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-pavone/) > [In 'The Travelers,' everyone is defined by his or her relationship to work. I put each character on a different rung of the ladder:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-pavone/in-the-travelers-everyone-is-defined-by-his-or-her-relationship-to/) [Chris Pavone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-pavone/) > ['The Expats' would not exist without e-books.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-pavone/the-expats-would-not-exist-without-e-books/) [Chris Pavone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-pavone/) > [“It was impossible to understand how brief it is. It seemed like youth would last so long; it would last forever. But it's just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-pavone/it-was-impossible-to-understand-how-brief-it-is-it-seemed-like-youth/) [Chris Pavone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-pavone/) > [“Back before her life had begun to unravel. Or before she knew it was unraveling.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-pavone/back-before-her-life-had-begun-to-unravel-or-before-she-knew-it-was/) [Chris Pavone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-pavone/) > [“I thought you make your living as a thief." "No," he said. "That’s what I do for fun.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-pavone/i-thought-you-make-your-living-as-a-thief-no-he-said-that-s-what-i-do/) [Chris Pavone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-pavone/) > [There's so much published by so many different publishers. Most of the time, I don't have to confront that, but walking into a conference…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-pavone/there-s-so-much-published-by-so-many-different-publishers-most-of-the/) [Chris Pavone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-pavone/) > [“Circumstantial evidence may not be enough to convict. But it’s almost always enough to reveal the truth. Isn’t it?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-pavone/circumstantial-evidence-may-not-be-enough-to-convict-but-it-s-almost/) [Chris Pavone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-pavone/) > [“It hasn't taken long to find herself thinking that people are watching. And that they always have been, all the time. It was only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-pavone/it-hasn-t-taken-long-to-find-herself-thinking-that-people-are/) [Chris Pavone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-pavone/) > [“But when Kate returned home he was gone. Back to the video camera that had recorded her. Back to his unexplainable office. Back to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-pavone/but-when-kate-returned-home-he-was-gone-back-to-the-video-camera-that/) [Chris Pavone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-pavone/) > [“She needed friends, and a life, and this is how you acquired those things: by talking to strangers. Everyone was a stranger, all on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-pavone/she-needed-friends-and-a-life-and-this-is-how-you-acquired-those/) [Chris Pavone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-pavone/) > [“So she forgave him. And instead she berated herself for her suspicion, for her snooping. For the things she promised herself she wouldn't do,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-pavone/so-she-forgave-him-and-instead-she-berated-herself-for-her-suspicion/) [Chris Pavone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-pavone/) [Explore all 139 Chris Pavone quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-pavone/) ## More Deception quotes > [Fortunately, the mind is restless; when it uncovers a layer of its own deception, gives up an illusion, exposes a lie, it does not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-chernin/fortunately-the-mind-is-restless-when-it-uncovers-a-layer-of-its-own/) [Kim Chernin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-chernin/) > [“The fact that I can get away with something is the very reason why I shouldn’t do it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-d-lounsbrough/the-fact-that-i-can-get-away-with-something-is-the-very-reason-why-i/) [Craig D. Lounsbrough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-d-lounsbrough/) > [“And so back to Cassie: who was she? Part of the deception; just a friend or something else…perhaps it was time to find out.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melanie-cusick-jones/and-so-back-to-cassie-who-was-she-part-of-the-deception-just-a-friend/) [Melanie Cusick-Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melanie-cusick-jones/) > [“Satan wants you to believe that you don't have a choice in the matter. You can't be happy until things go the way that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lindsey-rietzsch/satan-wants-you-to-believe-that-you-don-t-have-a-choice-in-the-matter/) Lindsey Rietzsch > [No-deal Brexit could be Boris Johnson's biggest deception yet - worse than the Boris bus or the lies that had him sacked as a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-davey/no-deal-brexit-could-be-boris-johnson-s-biggest-deception-yet-worse/) [Ed Davey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-davey/) > [The public should begin to understand that there's nothing that comes out of this campaign, or this Obama White House, that they can believe.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-sununu/the-public-should-begin-to-understand-that-there-s-nothing-that-comes/) [John Sununu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-sununu/) > [The history of institutions is often a history of deception and illusions; for their virtue depends on the ideas that produce and on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-acton/the-history-of-institutions-is-often-a-history-of-deception-and/) [Lord Acton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-acton/) > [Speaking of trust, ever since I wrote this book, 'Liespotting,' no one wants to meet me in person anymore - no, no, no, no,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pamela-meyer/speaking-of-trust-ever-since-i-wrote-this-book-liespotting-no-one/) [Pamela Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pamela-meyer/) > [Jack and Jill ran up the hill, both for a little fun. Jack's plan was deception while Jill sought affection. And Jack wouldn't quit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-faria-stolarz/jack-and-jill-ran-up-the-hill-both-for-a-little-fun-jack-s-plan-was/) [Laurie Faria Stolarz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-faria-stolarz/) > [People with psychopathy are very good at reading the minds of their victims. That's probably most clearly seen in deception.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-baron-cohen/people-with-psychopathy-are-very-good-at-reading-the-minds-of-their/) [Simon Baron-Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-baron-cohen/) > [Any seeming deception in a statement is costly, not only in the expense of the advertising but in the detrimental effect produced upon the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wanamaker/any-seeming-deception-in-a-statement-is-costly-not-only-in-the/) [John Wanamaker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wanamaker/) > [Knowledge of God's Word is a bulwark against deception, temptation, accusation, even persecution.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edwin-louis-cole/knowledge-of-god-s-word-is-a-bulwark-against-deception-temptation/) [Edwin Louis Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edwin-louis-cole/) > [In the last few years, the very idea of telling the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth is dredged up only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-musto/in-the-last-few-years-the-very-idea-of-telling-the-truth-the-whole/) [Michael Musto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-musto/) > [“To keep myself from harming or calling N and to stave off the rage and despair, I focus on my extraordinary son, drink midrange…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-finnamore/to-keep-myself-from-harming-or-calling-n-and-to-stave-off-the-rage/) [Suzanne Finnamore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-finnamore/) > [“For me, it´s sloth," I say. "Hedonistic sloth and escapism.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-finnamore/for-me-it-s-sloth-i-say-hedonistic-sloth-and-escapism/) [Suzanne Finnamore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-finnamore/) [Browse all 1,232 Deception quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deception/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“But there’s this giant deception at the foundation of their relationship, their happiness. This impure motive. There was that small mistake that the woman made, uttering the wrong number. And then the man reconstructed an entire intrigue, a big thick plot— a seduction and affair and relationship and marriage proposal, a whole life— around her error and his notice of it. Taking advantage of her lie. But does that make their relationship less real? 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