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Lying Quote by Paul Ekman

“The behavioral clues in face, body, voice, and manner of speaking are not signs of lying per se. They may be signs of emotions that don’t fit with what is being said. Or they may be signs that the suspect is thinking about what he is saying before he says it. They are flags marking areas which…” quote by Paul Ekman
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““The behavioral clues in face, body, voice, and manner of speaking are not signs of lying per se. They may be signs of emotions that don’t fit with what is being said. Or they may be signs that the suspect is thinking about what he is saying before he says it. They are flags marking areas which need to be explored.””

Paul Ekman

About This Quote

Source Book: Detecting Deception, Paul Ekman, 2007

Non‑verbal cues signal emotional states, not necessarily deceit; they highlight areas needing further inquiry.

In simple terms: Body language shows feelings, not lies; investigate further.

Key Takeaway

Observe cues, ask clarifying questions.

Themes

communication psychology investigation emotions

Mood

analytical practical

Type

advice educational

When to use this quote

  • interrogation
  • customer service
  • relationship counseling
  • team meetings

Key Concepts

non‑verbal behavior lie detection cognitive processing

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you differentiate emotion from deception?
  • What follow‑up questions clarify ambiguous signals?
A Different Perspective

Cues can be misinterpreted; context matters.

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