Conceal Quote by Leo Tolstoy
“The epitaph that I would write for history would say: I conceal nothing. It is not enough not to lie. One should strive not to lie in a negative sense by remaining silent.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: War and Peace, 1869
Truth demands full disclosure; silence can be a form of deceit.
In simple terms: Being honest means speaking truth, not just avoiding lies.
Key Takeaway
Speak openly, avoid harmful silence.
Themes
honesty
integrity
communication
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
ethical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal relationships
- journalism
- politics
- legal testimony
Key Concepts
ethical responsibility
truthfulness
Questions to Reflect On
- When does silence protect others?
- Is all silence deceitful?
A Different Perspective
Silence may protect privacy or safety; not all secrets are harmful.
![“It is always a poor way of reading the hearts of others to try to conceal our own. [Fr., C'est toujours un mauvais moyen de lire dans le coeur des autres que d'affecter de cacher le sien.]” quote by Jean-Jacques Rousseau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b20/jean-jacques-rousseau-418_heart_it-is-always-a-poor-way-of-reading-the-h_175274.jpg)
