--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: What is truth?” I said. “Is it the…" description: "\"“What is truth?” I said. “Is it the shallow assurance that something literally took place, or is it about something far deeper, something that is profo..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c11/michael-lister-29143_confidence_what-is-truth-i-said-is-it-the-shallow-a_172910.jpg" --- # What is truth?” I said. “Is it the shallow assurance that… ![“What is truth?” I said. “Is it the shallow assurance that something literally took place, or is it about something far deeper, something that is profoundly true— on all levels? Not just the literal one. It’s like poetry.” quote by Michael Lister](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c11/michael-lister-29143_confidence_what-is-truth-i-said-is-it-the-shallow-a_172910.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c11/michael-lister-29143_confidence_what-is-truth-i-said-is-it-the-shallow-a_172910.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c11/michael-lister-29143_confidence_what-is-truth-i-said-is-it-the-shallow-a_172910.jpg) > ““What is truth?” I said. “Is it the shallow assurance that something literally took place, or is it about something far deeper, something that is profoundly true— on all levels? Not just the literal one. It’s like poetry.”” [Michael Lister](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-lister/) ## 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 questions the nature of truth, contrasting surface facts with deeper, universal meaning akin to poetry. **In simple terms:** Truth can be deeper than literal facts, like poetry. Key Takeaway Seek deeper meaning beyond surface facts. Themes truth philosophy depth poetry perception Mood contemplative inquisitive Type philosophical poetic When to use this quote - personal reflection - artistic creation - critical analysis Key Concepts metaphysics epistemology subjectivity Questions to Reflect On - What does “deep truth” mean to you? - How can poetry reveal hidden truths? A Different Perspective Literal truth may miss essential emotional or existential layers. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Confidence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/confidence/) [Just Literal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/just-literal-1867543/) [Like Poetry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/like-poetry-284490/) [Literal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/literal/) [Poetry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poetry/) [Said Shallow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/said-shallow-1867545/) [Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth/) [Truth Said](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth-said-337971/) ## Related quotes > [Is it that they think it a duty to be continually talking,' pursued she: 'and so never pause to think, but fill up with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-bronte/is-it-that-they-think-it-a-duty-to-be-continually-talking-pursued-she/) [Anne Bronte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-bronte/) > [“It was just that the literal meaning itself wasn´t immediately comprehensible. That doesn´t mean it didn´t mean.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ali-smith/it-was-just-that-the-literal-meaning-itself-wasn-t-immediately/) [Ali Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ali-smith/) > [“And in all truth it can be said- yes the zionist jews were responsible for 9/11.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-makow/and-in-all-truth-it-can-be-said-yes-the-zionist-jews-were-responsible/) [Henry Makow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-makow/) > [If you can't know the truth, said Isolde, live the most awesome lie you can think off.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-wells/if-you-can-t-know-the-truth-said-isolde-live-the-most-awesome-lie-you-2/) [Dan Wells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-wells/) > [“Not everything is your truth," she said tersely. "Some things are just true.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-chant/not-everything-is-your-truth-she-said-tersely-some-things-are-just/) [Austin Chant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-chant/) > [“I am trying to decide between the whole truth, and nothing but the truth,' he said presently. 'I am afraid my history is such…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eleanor-catton/i-am-trying-to-decide-between-the-whole-truth-and-nothing-but-the/) [Eleanor Catton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eleanor-catton/) > [“And because Eddie knew that was only the truth, he said nothing.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-king/and-because-eddie-knew-that-was-only-the-truth-he-said-nothing/) [Stephen King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-king/) > [“Unable to voice the truth, she said simply, “Cyborg vision.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marissa-meyer/unable-to-voice-the-truth-she-said-simply-cyborg-vision/) [Marissa Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marissa-meyer/) > [“Sacrifice is the ultimate truth, he said. But truth itself must be sacrificed . . .”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-nowlin/sacrifice-is-the-ultimate-truth-he-said-but-truth-itself-must-be/) [Brian Nowlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-nowlin/) > [A lot of truth is said in jest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eminem/a-lot-of-truth-is-said-in-jest/) [Eminem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eminem/) > [Truth, it has been said, is the first casualty of war.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-snowden-1st-viscount-snowden/truth-it-has-been-said-is-the-first-casualty-of-war/) [Philip Snowden, 1st Viscount Snowden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-snowden-1st-viscount-snowden/) > [“For no one should consider anything his own, except perhaps a lie, since all truth is from Him who said, "I am the truth.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augustine-of-hippo/for-no-one-should-consider-anything-his-own-except-perhaps-a-lie/) [Augustine of Hippo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augustine-of-hippo/) > [XXVIII "Truth," said a traveller, "Is a rock, a mighty fortress; "Often have I been to it, "Even to its highest tower, "From whence…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-crane/xxviii-truth-said-a-traveller-is-a-rock-a-mighty-fortress-often-have/) [Stephen Crane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-crane/) > [If the truth is said why does it sound like a lie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-the-truth-is-said-why-does-it-sound-like-a-lie/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [What I've tried to do in politics is two very simple things: tell the truth and do what I said I would do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-cruz/what-i-ve-tried-to-do-in-politics-is-two-very-simple-things-tell-the/) [Ted Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-cruz/) ## More by Michael Lister > [“You’ve been talking about me in therapy?”“In therapy, in my sleep, in AA, in chat rooms, to strangers,” I said. “Women like you are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-lister/you-ve-been-talking-about-me-in-therapy-in-therapy-in-my-sleep-in-aa/) [Michael Lister](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-lister/) > [“As I walked down the extremely narrow hall of my not-so-mobile home, passing over the pale yellow linoleum curling up so that it no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-lister/as-i-walked-down-the-extremely-narrow-hall-of-my-not-so-mobile-home/) [Michael Lister](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-lister/) > [“When I moved back home to northwest Florida after being a cop and a cleric in Atlanta, I never would’ve imagined I’d become a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-lister/when-i-moved-back-home-to-northwest-florida-after-being-a-cop-and-a/) [Michael Lister](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-lister/) > [“What else?”“I don’t know,” she said, frustration eating at the edge of her words. “Do you want me to say that I woke up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-lister/what-else-i-don-t-know-she-said-frustration-eating-at-the-edge-of-her/) [Michael Lister](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-lister/) > [“ventually Kathryn joined me by the lake with a blanket and picnic basket and entreated me to come away with her into the woods.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-lister/ventually-kathryn-joined-me-by-the-lake-with-a-blanket-and-picnic/) [Michael Lister](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-lister/) > [“Wildlife photographer, photojournalist, war correspondent, paparazzi, even portraitist, but life laughs at the plans we make, and the dreams and ambitions of youth quickly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-lister/wildlife-photographer-photojournalist-war-correspondent-paparazzi/) [Michael Lister](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-lister/) > [“All the talent in the world can’t make up for attitude,” he said. “But attitude go a long way in making up for talent.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-lister/all-the-talent-in-the-world-can-t-make-up-for-attitude-he-said-but/) [Michael Lister](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-lister/) > [“It was the wound that caused this scar, and the blood it shed, that had saved my life, and had given me the opportunity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-lister/it-was-the-wound-that-caused-this-scar-and-the-blood-it-shed-that-had/) [Michael Lister](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-lister/) > [“inside. Daniels shook his head in confusion.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-lister/inside-daniels-shook-his-head-in-confusion/) [Michael Lister](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-lister/) > [“We seemed to be heading toward a revolution that would not only see a battle between the haves and have-nots, but between the fundamentalists…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-lister/we-seemed-to-be-heading-toward-a-revolution-that-would-not-only-see-a/) [Michael Lister](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-lister/) > [“and the stories we tell ourselves to make sense of ourselves and the world are all-powerful.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-lister/and-the-stories-we-tell-ourselves-to-make-sense-of-ourselves-and-the/) [Michael Lister](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-lister/) > [“Ironically, those with the least to say usually say the most and the most outwardly religious were often the most theologically unsophisticated.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-lister/ironically-those-with-the-least-to-say-usually-say-the-most-and-the/) [Michael Lister](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-lister/) > [“The great irony for a man in my position is how little use I have for organized religion. I am essentially a member of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-lister/the-great-irony-for-a-man-in-my-position-is-how-little-use-i-have-for/) [Michael Lister](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-lister/) > [“He had been exposed to the new wine of unfamiliar concepts and the old wineskin of tradition and rigid religion was unable to hold…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-lister/he-had-been-exposed-to-the-new-wine-of-unfamiliar-concepts-and-the/) [Michael Lister](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-lister/) > [“Actually, the Bible doesn’t say anything about masturbation,” I said, adding, “unless you count, ‘Whatever you find to do with your hand, verily I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-lister/actually-the-bible-doesn-t-say-anything-about-masturbation-i-said/) [Michael Lister](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-lister/) [Explore all 18 Michael Lister quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-lister/) ## More Confidence quotes > [The CIA has concluded in a secret assessment that Russia intervened in the 2016 election to help Donald Trump win the presidency rather than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-maddow/the-cia-has-concluded-in-a-secret-assessment-that-russia-intervened/) [Rachel Maddow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-maddow/) > [I was just confident my work was good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bunny-yeager/i-was-just-confident-my-work-was-good/) [Bunny Yeager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bunny-yeager/) > [I am confident when I take the penalty otherwise I would pass for somebody else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruno-fernandes/i-am-confident-when-i-take-the-penalty-otherwise-i-would-pass-for/) [Bruno Fernandes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruno-fernandes/) > [I started out dancing on a reality TV show, but always with the intention of making my way over to film. I transitioned into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-hough/i-started-out-dancing-on-a-reality-tv-show-but-always-with-the/) [Julianne Hough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-hough/) > [One of the ways that I discovered my confidence and my ability to overpower is becoming a mother. Suddenly, my world wasn't about myself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lights/one-of-the-ways-that-i-discovered-my-confidence-and-my-ability-to/) [Lights](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lights/) > [My friend made me a leather dress for the MTV awards. It gives you confidence, wearing something you love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cat-deeley/my-friend-made-me-a-leather-dress-for-the-mtv-awards-it-gives-you/) [Cat Deeley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cat-deeley/) > [Confidence comes from cutting yourself some slack.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tess-daly/confidence-comes-from-cutting-yourself-some-slack/) [Tess Daly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tess-daly/) > [I would rather regret the things that I have done than the things that I have not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucille-ball/i-would-rather-regret-the-things-that-i-have-done-than-the-things/) [Lucille Ball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucille-ball/) > [You want to remain hungry and stay in a good place as a competitor; at the same time, you want to be confident but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lamar-odom/you-want-to-remain-hungry-and-stay-in-a-good-place-as-a-competitor-at/) [Lamar Odom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lamar-odom/) > [Get to know yourself well enough to not only expect, but also control, your response to the unexpected challenges in life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/senoraroy/get-to-know-yourself-well-enough-to-not-only-expect-but-also-control/) [Senoraroy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/senoraroy/) > [The four Cs of making dreams come true: Curiosity, Courage, Consistency, Confidence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walt-disney/the-four-cs-of-making-dreams-come-true-curiosity-courage-consistency/) [Walt Disney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walt-disney/) > [I look for someone who has confidence. Also someone whose energetic, cause I'm NOT that energetic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-jonas/i-look-for-someone-who-has-confidence-also-someone-whose-energetic/) [Nick Jonas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-jonas/) > [Why shouldn't I be confident? I'm well educated, I can deliver a line, and I have more than three expressions. That's good right?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonakshi-sinha/why-shouldn-t-i-be-confident-i-m-well-educated-i-can-deliver-a-line/) [Sonakshi Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonakshi-sinha/) > [I was very confident on the stage, and I stood out in a red gown.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicole-johnson/i-was-very-confident-on-the-stage-and-i-stood-out-in-a-red-gown/) [Nicole Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicole-johnson/) > [If you go to any nunnery and ask them what the main obstacle is, they'll always say low self-esteem and lack of confidence. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tenzin-palmo/if-you-go-to-any-nunnery-and-ask-them-what-the-main-obstacle-is-they/) [Tenzin Palmo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tenzin-palmo/) [Browse all 11,290 Confidence quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/confidence/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“What is truth?” I said. “Is it the shallow assurance that something literally took place, or is it about something far deeper, something that is profoundly true— on all levels? Not just the literal one. 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