--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Most of our platitudes notwithstanding…" description: "\"Most of our platitudes notwithstanding, self-deception remains the most difficult deception. The tricks that work on others count for nothing in that v..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b90/joan-didion-497_alleys_most-of-our-platitudes-notwithstanding-s_1562063.jpg" --- # Most of our platitudes notwithstanding, self-deception… ![“Most of our platitudes notwithstanding, self-deception remains the most difficult deception. The tricks that work on others count for nothing in that very well-lit back alley where one keeps assignation with oneself: no winning smiles will do here, no prettily drawn lists of good intentions. One…” quote by Joan Didion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b90/joan-didion-497_alleys_most-of-our-platitudes-notwithstanding-s_1562063.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b90/joan-didion-497_alleys_most-of-our-platitudes-notwithstanding-s_1562063.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b90/joan-didion-497_alleys_most-of-our-platitudes-notwithstanding-s_1562063.jpg) > “Most of our platitudes notwithstanding, self-deception remains the most difficult deception. The tricks that work on others count for nothing in that very well-lit back alley where one keeps assignation with oneself: no winning smiles will do here, no prettily drawn lists of good intentions. One shuffles flashily but in vain through one's marked cards- the kindness done for the wrong reason, the apparent triumph which involved no real effort, the seemingly heroic act into which one had been shamed.” [Joan Didion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-didion/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Self-deception is harder to overcome than deceiving others because it lacks external cues and requires confronting personal truth. **In simple terms:** Self-deception is harder than fooling others. Key Takeaway Face your own motives honestly. Themes self-awareness honesty psychology Mood reflective serious Type philosophical psychological When to use this quote - personal reflection - therapy - leadership decisions - ethical dilemmas Key Concepts cognitive bias self-deception introspection Questions to Reflect On - How do you notice when you’re lying to yourself? - What habits reveal hidden self-deception? A Different Perspective Self-deception can be reinforced by social validation, making it hard to recognize. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Alleys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alleys/) [Cards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cards/) [Deception](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deception/) [Deception Tricks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deception-tricks-5862011/) [Difficult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/difficult/) [Difficult Deception](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/difficult-deception-5862010/) [Done](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/done/) [Effort](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/effort/) [Good intentions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-intentions/) [Heroic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heroic/) [Heroic acts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heroic-acts/) [Intention](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intention/) [Kindness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kindness/) [Kindness Wrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kindness-wrong-821674/) [Lists](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lists/) [Lit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lit/) [Oneself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/oneself/) [Platitudes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/platitudes/) [Real](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/real/) [Reason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reason/) [Remains](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/remains/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Self deception](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-deception/) [Tricks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tricks/) [Triumph](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/triumph/) [Vain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vain/) [Wells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wells/) [Winning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/winning/) ## Related quotes > [A lot of attractive women cant be too nice because guys take that kindness the wrong way and wont leave you alone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-lot-of-attractive-women-cant-be-too-nice-because-guys-take-that/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [As for "toothy kindness" - I think all traditions are full of this sort of tough kindness. 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