Abandoned Quote by Lionel Shriver
“But keeping secrets is a discipline. I never use to think of myself as a good liar, but after having had some practice I had adopted the prevaricator's credo that one doesn't so much fabricate a lie as marry it. A successful lie cannot be brought into this world and capriciously abandoned; like any committed relationship it must be maintained, and with far more devotion than the truth, which carries on being carelessly true without any help. By contrast, my lie needed me as much as I needed it, and so demanded the constancy of wedlock: Till death do us part.”
About This Quote
The author treats lying as a disciplined, committed relationship requiring ongoing maintenance, suggesting that a well‑kept deception can demand more devotion than truth.
In simple terms: Keeping a lie needs constant care, like a marriage.
Key Takeaway
Maintain honesty or recognize the cost of sustaining falsehoods.
Themes
deception
commitment
ethics
Mood
cautious
analytical
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- political speech
- personal relationships
- corporate communication
Key Concepts
lie maintenance
psychology of lying
truth vs. falsehood
Questions to Reflect On
- What motivates you to uphold a falsehood?
- Can a lie ever be morally justified?
A Different Perspective
Truth is easier when not deliberately constructed.
![“He lied all the time even when there was no need to lie [...] He needed a _history_, a sense of self. [Burnside on his father, p. 22]” quote by John Burnside](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/595/john-burnside-8167_family_he-lied-all-the-time-even-when-there-was_968987.jpg)
