--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: you do not realize that one has to learn…" description: "\"“you do not realize that one has to learn to speak the truth. it seems to you that it is enough to wish or to decide to do so. and i tell you that peop..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f1f/p-d-ouspensky-9110_long-time_you-do-not-realize-that-one-has-to-learn_2636065.jpg" --- # you do not realize that one has to learn to speak the… ![“you do not realize that one has to learn to speak the truth. it seems to you that it is enough to wish or to decide to do so. and i tell you that people comparatively rarely tell a deliberate lie. in most cases they think they speak the truth. and yet they lie all the time, both when they wish to…” quote by P.D. Ouspensky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f1f/p-d-ouspensky-9110_long-time_you-do-not-realize-that-one-has-to-learn_2636065.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f1f/p-d-ouspensky-9110_long-time_you-do-not-realize-that-one-has-to-learn_2636065.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f1f/p-d-ouspensky-9110_long-time_you-do-not-realize-that-one-has-to-learn_2636065.jpg) > ““you do not realize that one has to learn to speak the truth. it seems to you that it is enough to wish or to decide to do so. and i tell you that people comparatively rarely tell a deliberate lie. in most cases they think they speak the truth. and yet they lie all the time, both when they wish to lie and when they wish to speak the truth. they lie all the time, both to themselves and to others. therefore nobody ever understands either himself or anyone else. think - could there be such discord, such deep misunderstanding, and such hatred towards the views and opinions of others, if people were able to understand because they cannot help lying. to speak the truth is the most difficult thing in the world; and one must study a great deal and for a long time in order to be able to speak the truth. the wish alone is not enough. to speak the truth one must know what the truth is and what a lie is, and first of all in oneself. and this nobody wants to know.”” [P.D. Ouspensky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-d-ouspensky/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. People often think they are truthful, but self‑deception and habitual lying prevent true self‑knowledge and understanding of others. **In simple terms:** We lie to ourselves and others, blocking real understanding. Key Takeaway Recognize and confront personal self‑deception. Themes self‑deception truth understanding communication Mood reflective serious Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - personal reflection - therapy - conflict resolution - education - leadership Key Concepts psychology philosophy ethics Questions to Reflect On - How can you tell when you are lying to yourself? - What steps help you practice honest self‑reflection? A Different Perspective Self‑awareness is hard; people resist confronting uncomfortable truths. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Opinions Of Others](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opinions-of-others/) [Speak the truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/speak-the-truth/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth/) ## Related quotes > [A man must first of all understand certain things. He has thousands of false ideas and false conceptions, chiefly about himself, and he must…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-i-gurdjieff/a-man-must-first-of-all-understand-certain-things-he-has-thousands-of/) [G. I. Gurdjieff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-i-gurdjieff/) > [“Certainly for myself I believe I would always wish to know the truth, but then I also wish to never have to face a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-setterfield/certainly-for-myself-i-believe-i-would-always-wish-to-know-the-truth/) [Diane Setterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-setterfield/) > [To speak the truth is the most difficult of all arts, for in its "pure" form, not connected with the interests of individuals, groups,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxim-gorky/to-speak-the-truth-is-the-most-difficult-of-all-arts-for-in-its-pure/) [Maxim Gorky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxim-gorky/) > [Having the courage to speak your truth is sometimes difficult and scary. Don't be afraid to take a stand and defend yourself. Never allow…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/having-the-courage-to-speak-your-truth-is-sometimes-difficult-and/) [Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/) > [“Before you can speak the truth with your lips you must know truth in your heart. Psalm 15:2”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deborah-brodie/before-you-can-speak-the-truth-with-your-lips-you-must-know-truth-in/) [Deborah Brodie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deborah-brodie/) > [“This is what you can do to be called a true leader; know the truth, love the truth, speak the truth and repeat the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israelmore-ayivor/this-is-what-you-can-do-to-be-called-a-true-leader-know-the-truth/) [Israelmore Ayivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israelmore-ayivor/) > [“Can we ever see the truth when desire blinds us? Or do we call it the truth because it is what we wish to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-elliott/can-we-ever-see-the-truth-when-desire-blinds-us-or-do-we-call-it-the/) [Kate Elliott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-elliott/) > [The more abstract the truth you wish to teach, the more you need to seduce the senses to it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/the-more-abstract-the-truth-you-wish-to-teach-the-more-you-need-to/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [“But no. There is a difference between the truth and what we wish were true.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-rothfuss/but-no-there-is-a-difference-between-the-truth-and-what-we-wish-were/) [Patrick Rothfuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-rothfuss/) > [“A kiss may not be the truth but it is what we wish were true.” L.A. Story (1991) – Harris Telemacher (Steve Martin)”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-martin/a-kiss-may-not-be-the-truth-but-it-is-what-we-wish-were-true-l-a/) [Steve Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-martin/) > [The more abstract the truth you wish to teach, the more must you allure the senses to it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/the-more-abstract-the-truth-you-wish-to-teach-the-more-must-you/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [I would have offered you a forest of truth, but you wish to speak of a single leaf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-gemmell/i-would-have-offered-you-a-forest-of-truth-but-you-wish-to-speak-of-a/) [David Gemmell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-gemmell/) > [It is one thing to wish to have truth on our side, and another to wish sincerely to be on the side of truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-whately/it-is-one-thing-to-wish-to-have-truth-on-our-side-and-another-to-wish/) [Richard Whately](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-whately/) > [A kiss may not be the truth, but it is what we wish were true.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-martin/a-kiss-may-not-be-the-truth-but-it-is-what-we-wish-were-true/) [Steve Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-martin/) > [I love truth and wish to have it always spoken to me: I hate a liar. \[Lat., Ego verum amo, verum volo mihi dici;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plautus/i-love-truth-and-wish-to-have-it-always-spoken-to-me-i-hate-a-liar/) [Plautus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plautus/) ## More by P.D. Ouspensky > [Art is the communication of ecstasy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-d-ouspensky/art-is-the-communication-of-ecstasy/) [P.D. Ouspensky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-d-ouspensky/) > [I had come to the conclusion a long time ago that there was no escape from the labyrinth of contradictions in which we live…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-d-ouspensky/i-had-come-to-the-conclusion-a-long-time-ago-that-there-was-no-escape/) [P.D. Ouspensky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-d-ouspensky/) > [It is only when we realize that life is taking us nowhere that it begins to have meaning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-d-ouspensky/it-is-only-when-we-realize-that-life-is-taking-us-nowhere-that-it/) [P.D. Ouspensky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-d-ouspensky/) > [To remember oneself means the same thing as to be aware of oneself - I am. It is not a function, not thinking, not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-d-ouspensky/to-remember-oneself-means-the-same-thing-as-to-be-aware-of-oneself-i/) [P.D. Ouspensky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-d-ouspensky/) > [In all living nature (and perhaps also in that which we consider as dead) love is the motive force which drives the creative activity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-d-ouspensky/in-all-living-nature-and-perhaps-also-in-that-which-we-consider-as/) [P.D. Ouspensky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-d-ouspensky/) > [Begin with the possible: begin with one step. There is always a limit you cannot do more than you can do. If you try…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-d-ouspensky/begin-with-the-possible-begin-with-one-step-there-is-always-a-limit/) [P.D. Ouspensky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-d-ouspensky/) > [“Suddenly I began to find a strange meaning in old fairy-tales; woods, rivers, mountains, became living beings; mysterious life filled the night; with new…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-d-ouspensky/suddenly-i-began-to-find-a-strange-meaning-in-old-fairy-tales-woods/) [P.D. Ouspensky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-d-ouspensky/) > [The greatest barrier to consciousness is the belief that one is already conscious.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-d-ouspensky/the-greatest-barrier-to-consciousness-is-the-belief-that-one-is/) [P.D. Ouspensky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-d-ouspensky/) > [Ideas by themselves cannot produce change of being; your effort must go in the right direction, and one must correspond to the other.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-d-ouspensky/ideas-by-themselves-cannot-produce-change-of-being-your-effort-must/) [P.D. Ouspensky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-d-ouspensky/) > [Desire is when you do what you want, will is when you can do what you do not want.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-d-ouspensky/desire-is-when-you-do-what-you-want-will-is-when-you-can-do-what-you/) [P.D. Ouspensky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-d-ouspensky/) > [Divide in yourself the mechanical from the conscious, see how little there is of the conscious, how seldom it works, and how strong is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-d-ouspensky/divide-in-yourself-the-mechanical-from-the-conscious-see-how-little/) [P.D. Ouspensky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-d-ouspensky/) > [“The most important factor in every function is: ‘Is it under our control or not?’ So when imagination is under our control we do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-d-ouspensky/the-most-important-factor-in-every-function-is-is-it-under-our/) [P.D. Ouspensky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-d-ouspensky/) > [Love is the eternally burning fire in which humanity & all the world are being purified.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-d-ouspensky/love-is-the-eternally-burning-fire-in-which-humanity-all-the-world/) [P.D. Ouspensky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-d-ouspensky/) > [a man can be given only what he can use; and he can use only that for which he has sacrificed something](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-d-ouspensky/a-man-can-be-given-only-what-he-can-use-and-he-can-use-only-that-for/) [P.D. Ouspensky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-d-ouspensky/) > [If a man gives way to all his desires, or panders to them, there will be no inner struggle in him, no 'friction,' no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-d-ouspensky/if-a-man-gives-way-to-all-his-desires-or-panders-to-them-there-will/) [P.D. Ouspensky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-d-ouspensky/) [Explore all 73 P.D. Ouspensky quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-d-ouspensky/) ## More Long time quotes > [“I locked the door and turned on the water to fill the tub. I made it so hot that I had to get in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-crandall/i-locked-the-door-and-turned-on-the-water-to-fill-the-tub-i-made-it/) [Susan Crandall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-crandall/) > [“But my best friend from college was silent for a long time. She, of all of my friends, had seen the parade of sad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-groff/but-my-best-friend-from-college-was-silent-for-a-long-time-she-of-all/) [Lauren Groff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-groff/) > [As a child, I had a lot of older gay men taking care of me. There's a trust there. 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Some people called that place friendship; others called…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leslye-walton/for-a-very-long-time-viviane-and-jack-lived-in-that-world-people/) [Leslye Walton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leslye-walton/) > [“If any woman opens her legs for you, don't feel so lucky to be fed with nonsense, she has been a bitch for a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-bassey-johnson/if-any-woman-opens-her-legs-for-you-don-t-feel-so-lucky-to-be-fed/) [Michael Bassey Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-bassey-johnson/) > [Hollywood is so fixated on keeping it that way because it's generating the buzz, but that representation isn't right. I definitely feel like it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-boyega/hollywood-is-so-fixated-on-keeping-it-that-way-because-it-s/) [John Boyega](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-boyega/) > [I've been around in public life for a long time. I think people know what I stand for. 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If I am moved or forced away from what I think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/i-agreed-a-long-time-ago-i-would-not-live-at-any-cost-if-i-am-moved/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) Browse all 9,064 Long time quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“you do not realize that one has to learn to speak the truth. it seems to you that it is enough to wish or to decide to do so. and i tell you that people comparatively rarely tell a deliberate lie. in most cases they think they speak the truth. and yet they lie all the time, both when they wish to lie and when they wish to speak the truth. they lie all the time, both to themselves and to others. therefore nobody ever understands either himself or anyone else. think - could there be such discord, such deep misunderstanding, and such hatred towards the views and opinions of others, if people were able to understand because they cannot help lying. to speak the truth is the most difficult thing in the world; and one must study a great deal and for a long time in order to be able to speak the truth. the wish alone is not enough. to speak the truth one must know what the truth is and what a lie is, and first of all in oneself. and this nobody wants to know.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "P.D. 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