Admire Quote by Jack McDevitt
“Lies hold civilization together. If people ever seriously begin telling each other what they really think, there'd be no peace. Good-bye to tact. Good-bye to being polite. Good-bye to showing tolerance for other people's buffooneries. The fact that we claim to admire Truth is probably the biggest lie of all. But that's part of the charade, part of what makes us human, and we do not even think about it. In effect, we lie to ourselves. Lies are only despicable when they betray a trust.”
About This Quote
Lying sustains social harmony by softening harsh truths; absolute honesty could erode civility, yet deception also undermines trust when it breaches expectations.
In simple terms: Lies preserve politeness but can damage trust.
Key Takeaway
Balance truth with social grace.
Themes
truth
deception
social harmony
ethics
Mood
reflective
cautious
Type
ethical
social commentary
When to use this quote
- diplomatic negotiations
- personal relationships
- political rhetoric
Key Concepts
social contract
cognitive dissonance
Practical Applications
- Practice compassionate honesty: convey truth with empathy
- Set clear expectations to reduce need for deception
Questions to Reflect On
- Is it possible to be truthful without causing harm?
- What mechanisms can societies use to mitigate the need for lies?
A Different Perspective
Some societies value radical transparency, arguing that any lie, even polite, erodes authentic connection.
![“...those whose tastes run to personal power [can] never be trusted to act save in the pursuit of their own ambition.” quote by Jack McDevitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/222/jack-mcdevitt-8429_ambition_those-whose-tastes-run-to-personal-power_190484.jpg)
