--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I believe in absolute honesty and…" description: "\"I believe in absolute honesty and sensible social lies.\" — Neil Gaiman" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/913/neil-gaiman-29_believe_i-believe-in-absolute-honesty-and-sensib_2119376.jpg" --- # I believe in absolute honesty and sensible social lies. ![“I believe in absolute honesty and sensible social lies.” quote by Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/913/neil-gaiman-29_believe_i-believe-in-absolute-honesty-and-sensib_2119376.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/913/neil-gaiman-29_believe_i-believe-in-absolute-honesty-and-sensib_2119376.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/913/neil-gaiman-29_believe_i-believe-in-absolute-honesty-and-sensib_2119376.jpg) > “I believe in absolute honesty and sensible social lies.” [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He supports absolute honesty but acknowledges the need for harmless social lies to maintain harmony. **In simple terms:** Truth is vital, yet small lies can be socially useful. Key Takeaway Balance honesty with empathy. Themes ethics communication social dynamics integrity Mood reflective pragmatic Type philosophical advice When to use this quote - personal relationships - professional settings - conflict resolution Key Concepts truthfulness white lies social cohesion Questions to Reflect On - When is a social lie justified? - How can honesty be practiced without causing harm? A Different Perspective Too many lies, erode trust. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Honesty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/honesty/) [Lying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lying/) [Sensible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sensible/) [Social](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/social/) [Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth/) ## Related quotes > [Those who believe that they have absolute truth and the only moral system are destructive both to themselves and to those whom they try…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luke-rhinehart/those-who-believe-that-they-have-absolute-truth-and-the-only-moral/) [Luke Rhinehart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luke-rhinehart/) > [In our development, as we grow throughout our lives, the structure of our beliefs becomes very complicated, and we make it even more complicated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-angel-ruiz/in-our-development-as-we-grow-throughout-our-lives-the-structure-of/) [Miguel Angel Ruiz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-angel-ruiz/) > [Those philosophers who believe in the absolute logic of truth have never had to discuss it on close terms with a woman.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cesare-pavese/those-philosophers-who-believe-in-the-absolute-logic-of-truth-have/) [Cesare Pavese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cesare-pavese/) > [We only know God in His works, but we are forced by science to admit and to believe with absolute confidence in a Directive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-kelvin/we-only-know-god-in-his-works-but-we-are-forced-by-science-to-admit/) [Lord Kelvin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-kelvin/) > [It might be said that the pose of absolute honesty is the most dishonest one of all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-kavanagh/it-might-be-said-that-the-pose-of-absolute-honesty-is-the-most/) [Patrick Kavanagh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-kavanagh/) > [I think absolute honesty may not be what we want. I mean, 'My goodness, you look ugly this morning.' Perhaps that's not necessary.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-treasure/i-think-absolute-honesty-may-not-be-what-we-want-i-mean-my-goodness/) [Julian Treasure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-treasure/) > [It doesn't matter if you're a star or not; what is important is that you do your job with absolute honesty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pankaj-tripathi/it-doesn-t-matter-if-you-re-a-star-or-not-what-is-important-is-that/) [Pankaj Tripathi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pankaj-tripathi/) > [Most writers flinch at the thought of being completely honest about themselves. So absolute honesty is what marks the true modern.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-g-ballard/most-writers-flinch-at-the-thought-of-being-completely-honest-about/) [J. G. 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They shine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/what-do-stars-do-they-shine/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [“What," asked Mr Croup, "do you want?" "What," asked the Marquis de Carabas, a little more rhetorically, "does anyone want?" "Dead things," suggested Mr…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/what-asked-mr-croup-do-you-want-what-asked-the-marquis-de-carabas-a/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [You get on with your own life. Lettie gave it to you. You just have to grow up and try and be worth it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/you-get-on-with-your-own-life-lettie-gave-it-to-you-you-just-have-to/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [“Eyes will not see you. Minds will not hold you. 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