Lying Quote by Fyodor Dostoyevsky
““I will tell you another thing that would be better, and that is, if I myself believe even an iota of what I have just written. I swear to you, gentlemen, that I do not really believe one thing, not even one word, of what I have just written. That is, I believe it, perhaps, but at the same time, I feel suspect that I am lying myself blue in the face.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Brothers Karamazov, 1880
The narrator admits to writing without genuine belief, exposing self‑deception and the paradox of claiming truth while knowing it may be false.
In simple terms: He writes while not truly believing his words.
Question your own convictions before speaking.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- political writing
- personal essays
- public speaking
- media commentary
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you ever present ideas you doubt?
- How does doubt affect credibility?
The claim may be a rhetorical device rather than literal confession.