Failure Quote by Paul Ekman
““Believing-a-lie mistakes occur because certain people just don’t make mistakes when they lie. These are not just psychopaths but also natural liars, people who are using the Stanislavski technique, and those who by other means succeed in coming to believe their own lies. The lie catcher must remember that the absence of a sign of deceit is not evidence of truth.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Telling Lies, Paul Ekman, 2007
People can truly convince themselves of their own falsehoods, and lack of obvious deceit signs doesn’t guarantee honesty.
In simple terms: Self‑deception can be convincing; no sign isn’t proof of truth.
Key Takeaway
Question apparent honesty, not just look for lies.
Themes
psychology
deception
self‑deception
truth
trust
Mood
cautious
analytical
Type
advisory
observational
When to use this quote
- interrogations
- law enforcement
- personal relationships
- media analysis
Key Concepts
cognitive bias
self‑justification
Stanislavski technique
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you verify truth when cues are absent?
- What safeguards can reduce self‑deception?
A Different Perspective
Even skilled liars may show subtle cues, making detection hard.
