Lies Quote by Iwan Goll
““Lying is not a sin, since there has never been a law-maker or philosopher who could determine what truth is. I lie for the fun of it. I lie for the fear of the gravity of life. I lie out of boredom. How can anyone who has more fantasy than the Catholic evening paper get by without lying?””
About This Quote
Source Essay: Unknown, early 20th century
Lying is portrayed as a playful, fearful, or bored response to an unknowable truth, suggesting truth is subjective and deception is inevitable.
In simple terms: Lying stems from boredom, fear, or fun.
Key Takeaway
Question assumptions about truth, consider honesty.
Themes
truth
deception
subjectivity
Mood
cynical
thought‑provoking
Type
essayistic
philosophical
When to use this quote
- daily conversation
- creative writing
- ethical dilemmas
- social media
Key Concepts
philosophical relativism
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- What purposes does lying serve in your life?
- When is truth more valuable than comfort?
A Different Perspective
The claim dismisses moral responsibility of honesty.
![“I said, "Isn't lying a sin?" "Yes," [Grandmother] answered soberly. "But that wasn't a lie. That was camouflage.” quote by Frederic S. Durbin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/db6/frederic-s-durbin-49561_quote_i-said-isn-t-lying-a-sin-yes-grandmother_1709556.jpg)
