--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: For most of us, our protective lies or…" description: "\"For most of us, our protective lies or omissions are so insignificant that being found out would be only mildly embarrassing. But for some of us, our s..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/564/fiona-barton-14833_destroy_for-most-of-us-our-protective-lies-or-om_67465.jpg" --- # For most of us, our protective lies or omissions are so… ![“For most of us, our protective lies or omissions are so insignificant that being found out would be only mildly embarrassing. But for some of us, our secret may threaten to destroy everything. And that is food and drink to a novelist.” quote by Fiona Barton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/564/fiona-barton-14833_destroy_for-most-of-us-our-protective-lies-or-om_67465.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/564/fiona-barton-14833_destroy_for-most-of-us-our-protective-lies-or-om_67465.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/564/fiona-barton-14833_destroy_for-most-of-us-our-protective-lies-or-om_67465.jpg) > “For most of us, our protective lies or omissions are so insignificant that being found out would be only mildly embarrassing. But for some of us, our secret may threaten to destroy everything. And that is food and drink to a novelist.” [Fiona Barton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fiona-barton/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote highlights how minor deceptions cause only slight embarrassment, whereas deeper secrets can jeopardize one's entire life, and writers exploit this tension for compelling narratives. **In simple terms:** Secrets range from trivial to catastrophic, fueling drama. Key Takeaway Writers thrive on high‑stakes secrets. Themes identity risk storytelling power vulnerability conflict Mood intrigue tension curiosity Type observation commentary philosophical When to use this quote - personal relationships - political scandals - family dynamics - corporate espionage - creative writing Key Concepts secrecy consequence human nature narrative tension Practical Applications - novel plotting - character development Questions to Reflect On - What makes a secret compelling in a story? - How do trivial lies differ from existential threats? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Food](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/food/) [Food and drink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/food-and-drink/) [Goals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goals/) [Lies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lies/) [Secret](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/secret/) ## Related quotes > [“People came to our house from far and wide. 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A chalkboard menu declares that the special of the day is stargazy pie.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-madeleine/obediently-i-squash-into-a-corner-with-a-glass-of-cider-a-chalkboard/) [Laura Madeleine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-madeleine/) > [“When we got back to our house, the villagers who’d had helped carry her coffin as far as the mountainside were there, partaking enthusiastically…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/masaji-ishikawa/when-we-got-back-to-our-house-the-villagers-who-d-had-helped-carry/) [Masaji Ishikawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/masaji-ishikawa/) ## More by Fiona Barton > [The emotions, responsibilities - and the pain - of motherhood are unique to each of us with children. Ask any woman, and she will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fiona-barton/the-emotions-responsibilities-and-the-pain-of-motherhood-are-unique/) [Fiona Barton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fiona-barton/) > [When you start writing fiction, you have to learn to invent, and it's very hard at the beginning to stop relying on facts and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fiona-barton/when-you-start-writing-fiction-you-have-to-learn-to-invent-and-it-s/) [Fiona Barton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fiona-barton/) > [As a journalist, your words are regularly read by lots of people, but they're not your words: they're someone else's. You're quoting people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fiona-barton/as-a-journalist-your-words-are-regularly-read-by-lots-of-people-but/) [Fiona Barton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fiona-barton/) > [When you are a journalist, you are always looking for the next story. 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