Speaks Quote by Elizabeth Bowen
“Nobody speaks the truth when there's something they must have.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Death of the Heart, 1938
Bowen suggests truth is suppressed when personal desire dominates, implying self‑interest clouds honesty.
In simple terms: People hide truth when they want something.
Key Takeaway
Beware of personal bias when seeking truth.
Themes
truth
desire
integrity
Mood
thoughtful
cautious
Type
literary
psychological
When to use this quote
- personal relationships
- political discourse
- media reporting
Key Concepts
psychology of honesty
self‑interest
moral conflict
Questions to Reflect On
- What motivations cause people to distort facts?
- How can we encourage honesty despite desires?
A Different Perspective
Truth can be twisted by strong motives.
![“The art that speaks [truth] most unmistakably, most directly, most variously, most fully, is fiction.” quote by Eudora Welty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f0c/eudora-welty-1564_art_the-art-that-speaks-truth-most-unmistaka_666941.jpg)
