--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: All governments are run by liars and…" description: "\"All governments are run by liars and nothing they say should be believed.\" — I. F. Stone" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/71b/i-f-stone-23982_governments_all-governments-are-run-by-liars-and-not_1137843.png" --- # All governments are run by liars and nothing they say… ![“All governments are run by liars and nothing they say should be believed.” quote by I. F. Stone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/71b/i-f-stone-23982_governments_all-governments-are-run-by-liars-and-not_1137843.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/71b/i-f-stone-23982_governments_all-governments-are-run-by-liars-and-not_1137843.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/71b/i-f-stone-23982_governments_all-governments-are-run-by-liars-and-not_1137843.png) > “All governments are run by liars and nothing they say should be believed.” [I. F. Stone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/i-f-stone/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Governments often manipulate truth, so skepticism is necessary for informed citizenship. **In simple terms:** Governments lie; be critical. Key Takeaway Cultivate critical thinking about political statements. Themes politics truth skepticism Mood cautious analytical Type political critical When to use this quote - voting decisions - policy analysis - public debate Key Concepts propaganda media literacy Questions to Reflect On - How can you verify political claims? - What sources deserve trust? A Different Perspective Not all statements are false; nuance exists. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Governments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/governments/) [Governments Run](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/governments-run-1702873/) [Liars](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/liars/) [Liars Say](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/liars-say-2864469/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Run Liars](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/run-liars-2933915/) [Should](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/should/) ## Related quotes > [Every government is run by liars and nothing they say should be believed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i-f-stone/every-government-is-run-by-liars-and-nothing-they-say-should-be/) [I. F. Stone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/i-f-stone/) > [“Every government is run by liars. Nothing they say should be believed.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i-f-stone-2/every-government-is-run-by-liars-nothing-they-say-should-be-believed/) [I.F. Stone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/i-f-stone-2/) > [India has been at the greatest loss because governments were run only for elections.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/narendra-modi/india-has-been-at-the-greatest-loss-because-governments-were-run-only/) [Narendra Modi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/narendra-modi/) > [Beginning with the Clinton Administration and rapidly accelerating with the George W. Bush and Obama regimes and Tony Blair in England, the U.S. and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-craig-roberts/beginning-with-the-clinton-administration-and-rapidly-accelerating/) [Paul Craig Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-craig-roberts/) > [“You are liars,' I say. 'All of you. You don't lie with words, but your intent is ever to deceive.' Franco grabs the empty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rae-carson/you-are-liars-i-say-all-of-you-you-don-t-lie-with-words-but-your/) [Rae Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rae-carson/) > [I've studied pathological liars, and anything they say, they believe, and that's one of the reasons they're so convincing, because they have no connection…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-velez-mitchell/i-ve-studied-pathological-liars-and-anything-they-say-they-believe/) [Jane Velez-Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-velez-mitchell/) > [Governments are run by people. People can be bad.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-ventura/governments-are-run-by-people-people-can-be-bad/) [Jesse Ventura](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-ventura/) > [“Corrupt governments are run by corrupt politicians that run corrupt law enforcement agencies.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/corrupt-governments-are-run-by-corrupt-politicians-that-run-corrupt/) [Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/) > [Governments must not run only for elections. The government should be a bona fide attempt of meeting the demands and expectations of the common…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/narendra-modi/governments-must-not-run-only-for-elections-the-government-should-be/) [Narendra Modi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/narendra-modi/) > [If you want to know about governments, all you need to know is two words: Governments lie.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i-f-stone/if-you-want-to-know-about-governments-all-you-need-to-know-is-two/) [I. F. Stone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/i-f-stone/) > [The governments are seen to be less effective than they used to be. The private sector is perceived as being so much more efficient,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-robinson/the-governments-are-seen-to-be-less-effective-than-they-used-to-be/) [Mary Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-robinson/) > [If we do not adhere firmly to the constitution, our governments will not last long and will change frequently.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suharto/if-we-do-not-adhere-firmly-to-the-constitution-our-governments-will/) [Suharto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suharto/) > [Governments regard their own citizens as their main enemy, and they have to be - protect themselves. That's why you have state secret laws.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/governments-regard-their-own-citizens-as-their-main-enemy-and-they/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [Local and state governments have outrun the federal government. The EPA has served notice that it will enact a rule requiring CO2 reductions by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/local-and-state-governments-have-outrun-the-federal-government-the/) [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) > [Governments follow their people. A great deal has to do with the vision of the leadership of governments. They have a vision, and they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salman-khurshid/governments-follow-their-people-a-great-deal-has-to-do-with-the/) [Salman Khurshid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salman-khurshid/) ## More by I. F. Stone > [You have to take the long view. First, when Moses came down from Mt. Sinai, man has already progressed to the point where a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i-f-stone/you-have-to-take-the-long-view-first-when-moses-came-down-from-mt/) [I. F. Stone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/i-f-stone/) > [The difference between burlesque and the newspapers is that the former never pretended to be performing a public service by exposure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i-f-stone/the-difference-between-burlesque-and-the-newspapers-is-that-the/) [I. F. Stone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/i-f-stone/) > [If God, as some now say, is dead, He no doubt died of trying to find an equitable solution to the Arab-Jewish problem.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i-f-stone/if-god-as-some-now-say-is-dead-he-no-doubt-died-of-trying-to-find-an/) [I. F. Stone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/i-f-stone/) > [Every emancipation has in it the seeds of a new slavery, and every truth easily becomes a lie.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i-f-stone/every-emancipation-has-in-it-the-seeds-of-a-new-slavery-and-every/) [I. F. Stone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/i-f-stone/) > [The arms race is based on an optimistic view of technology and a pessimistic view of man. It assumes there is no limit to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i-f-stone/the-arms-race-is-based-on-an-optimistic-view-of-technology-and-a/) [I. F. Stone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/i-f-stone/) > [If you live long enough, you get accused of things you never did and praised for virtues you never had.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i-f-stone/if-you-live-long-enough-you-get-accused-of-things-you-never-did-and/) [I. F. Stone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/i-f-stone/) > [You've really got to wear a chastity belt in Washington to preserve your journalistic virginity. Once the secretary of state invites you to lunch…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i-f-stone/you-ve-really-got-to-wear-a-chastity-belt-in-washington-to-preserve/) [I. F. Stone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/i-f-stone/) > [The only social justice movements worth fighting for are the struggles for justice where you lose, you lose, you lose- until you win.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i-f-stone/the-only-social-justice-movements-worth-fighting-for-are-the/) [I. F. Stone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/i-f-stone/) > [There must be renewed recognition that societies are kept stable and healthy by reform, not by thought police; this means there must be free…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i-f-stone/there-must-be-renewed-recognition-that-societies-are-kept-stable-and/) [I. F. Stone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/i-f-stone/) > [If you want to know about governments, all you need to know is two words: Governments lie.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i-f-stone/if-you-want-to-know-about-governments-all-you-need-to-know-is-two/) [I. F. Stone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/i-f-stone/) > [The only thing God didn't do to Job was give him a computer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i-f-stone/the-only-thing-god-didn-t-do-to-job-was-give-him-a-computer/) [I. F. Stone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/i-f-stone/) > [When you're young, you get blamed for crimes that you didn't commit. When you are old, you get credit for virtues that you never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i-f-stone/when-you-re-young-you-get-blamed-for-crimes-that-you-didn-t-commit/) [I. F. Stone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/i-f-stone/) > [History is a tragedy, not a morality tale.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i-f-stone/history-is-a-tragedy-not-a-morality-tale/) [I. F. Stone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/i-f-stone/) > [Every government is run by liars and nothing they say should be believed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i-f-stone/every-government-is-run-by-liars-and-nothing-they-say-should-be/) [I. F. Stone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/i-f-stone/) > [Victor Serge died in exile and obscurity, apparently no more than a splinter of a splinter in the Marxist movement. But with the passage…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i-f-stone/victor-serge-died-in-exile-and-obscurity-apparently-no-more-than-a/) [I. F. Stone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/i-f-stone/) [Explore all 25 I. F. Stone quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/i-f-stone/) ## More Governments quotes > [Governments follow their people. A great deal has to do with the vision of the leadership of governments. 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That's why you have state secret laws.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/governments-regard-their-own-citizens-as-their-main-enemy-and-they/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [If we do not adhere firmly to the constitution, our governments will not last long and will change frequently.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suharto/if-we-do-not-adhere-firmly-to-the-constitution-our-governments-will/) [Suharto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suharto/) > [The governments are seen to be less effective than they used to be. The private sector is perceived as being so much more efficient,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-robinson/the-governments-are-seen-to-be-less-effective-than-they-used-to-be/) [Mary Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-robinson/) > [The true forms of government, therefore, are those in which the one, or the few, or the many, govern with a view to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristotle/the-true-forms-of-government-therefore-are-those-in-which-the-one-or/) [Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/) > [The greatest of all crimes are the wars that are carried on by governments, to plunder, enslave, and destroy mankind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lysander-spooner/the-greatest-of-all-crimes-are-the-wars-that-are-carried-on-by/) [Lysander Spooner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lysander-spooner/) > [I think it true that, you know, sometimes things start to change even before a government changes and, actually, I think you can begin…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-cameron/i-think-it-true-that-you-know-sometimes-things-start-to-change-even/) [David Cameron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-cameron/) > [The claim of the State Socialists, however, that this right would not be exercised in matters pertaining to the individual in the more intimate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-tucker/the-claim-of-the-state-socialists-however-that-this-right-would-not/) [Benjamin Tucker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-tucker/) > [The main thing that endears the United Nations to member governments, and so enables it to survive, is its proven capacity to fail, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conor-cruise-o-brien/the-main-thing-that-endears-the-united-nations-to-member-governments/) [Conor Cruise O'Brien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conor-cruise-o-brien/) > [For political and bureaucratic reasons, governments at all levels are telling far less to the public than to insiders about how to prepare for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barton-gellman/for-political-and-bureaucratic-reasons-governments-at-all-levels-are/) [Barton Gellman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barton-gellman/) > [When governments claim to derive their authority from any source other than the governed, it always leads to the destruction of liberty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-edward-griffin/when-governments-claim-to-derive-their-authority-from-any-source/) [G. Edward Griffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-edward-griffin/) > [Ordinary citizens are obliged and, if need be, compelled by force to meet their commitments. But let higher obligations of an international order be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-albert-gobat/ordinary-citizens-are-obliged-and-if-need-be-compelled-by-force-to/) [Charles Albert Gobat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-albert-gobat/) > [Democratical States must always feel before they can see: it is this that makes their Governments slow, but the people will be right at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/democratical-states-must-always-feel-before-they-can-see-it-is-this/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) > [Remarkably, governments are beginning to embrace the idea that nothing enhances democracy more than giving voice and information to everybody in the country. Why…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mo-ibrahim/remarkably-governments-are-beginning-to-embrace-the-idea-that-nothing/) [Mo Ibrahim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mo-ibrahim/) [Browse all 795 Governments quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/governments/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "All governments are run by liars and nothing they say should be believed.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "I. F. 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