--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Early on, someone had told me, 'You know…" description: "\"Early on, someone had told me, 'You know, the camera can always tell when you're lying.' And, Jesus, that intimidated me. 'The camera can always tell? ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4b6/michael-douglas-2539_about_early-on-someone-had-told-me-you-know-th_466047.jpg" --- # Early on, someone had told me, 'You know, the camera can… ![“Early on, someone had told me, 'You know, the camera can always tell when you're lying.' And, Jesus, that intimidated me. 'The camera can always tell? How am I going to do this?' Until one day I thought, 'Wait a minute, acting is lying. Acting is all about lying.'” quote by Michael Douglas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4b6/michael-douglas-2539_about_early-on-someone-had-told-me-you-know-th_466047.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4b6/michael-douglas-2539_about_early-on-someone-had-told-me-you-know-th_466047.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4b6/michael-douglas-2539_about_early-on-someone-had-told-me-you-know-th_466047.jpg) > “Early on, someone had told me, 'You know, the camera can always tell when you're lying.' And, Jesus, that intimidated me. 'The camera can always tell? How am I going to do this?' Until one day I thought, 'Wait a minute, acting is lying. Acting is all about lying.'” [Michael Douglas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-douglas/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote compares acting to lying, suggesting that performance involves deliberate deception, yet it can be a tool for truth. **In simple terms:** Acting is like lying, but can reveal truth. Key Takeaway Use honesty within performance to convey authenticity. Themes acting truth deception Mood thoughtful analytical Type professional philosophical When to use this quote - theatre rehearsals - film auditions - public speaking - media interviews Key Concepts performance art psychology of lying self‑presentation Questions to Reflect On - When does acting become harmful? - Can deception ever be ethical? A Different Perspective Relying on deception can erode trust between performer and audience. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Acting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acting/) [Actor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actor/) [Camera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/camera/) [Day](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/day/) [Intimidated](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intimidated/) [Jesus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jesus/) [Lying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lying/) [Thought](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thought/) ## Related quotes > [I'm not a big fan of training, at all. I really don't like it. 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Pretending lying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sunnyboo222/pretending-to-be-someone-your-not-is-lying-about-who-you-are-is/) Sunnyboo222 > [Documentaries are inherently instinctual; you're constantly moment to moment, determining what the best place for the camera is to tell the story, usually in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-morrison/documentaries-are-inherently-instinctual-you-re-constantly-moment-to/) [Rachel Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-morrison/) > [I think from an early age I was aware of how a camera can tell a story, how a movie camera can affect how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-selznick/i-think-from-an-early-age-i-was-aware-of-how-a-camera-can-tell-a/) [Brian Selznick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-selznick/) > [At the end of the day, you're trying to - be it on theatre or on the camera - tell the truth and be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-alwyn/at-the-end-of-the-day-you-re-trying-to-be-it-on-theatre-or-on-the/) [Joe Alwyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-alwyn/) > [I approach film no differently than I approach a role. 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