--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When we tell half-truths in an attempt to…" description: "\"“When we tell half-truths in an attempt to maintain social norms and values, we risk losing both our integrity and the maintenance of those norms. We h..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ff/ptera-hunter-66937_animal-behavior_when-we-tell-half-truths-in-an-attempt-t_3163981.jpg" --- # When we tell half-truths in an attempt to maintain social… ![“When we tell half-truths in an attempt to maintain social norms and values, we risk losing both our integrity and the maintenance of those norms. We have to come clean with our audience if we have any hope of getting their attention and keeping their belief in us.” quote by Ptera Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ff/ptera-hunter-66937_animal-behavior_when-we-tell-half-truths-in-an-attempt-t_3163981.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ff/ptera-hunter-66937_animal-behavior_when-we-tell-half-truths-in-an-attempt-t_3163981.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ff/ptera-hunter-66937_animal-behavior_when-we-tell-half-truths-in-an-attempt-t_3163981.jpg) > ““When we tell half-truths in an attempt to maintain social norms and values, we risk losing both our integrity and the maintenance of those norms. We have to come clean with our audience if we have any hope of getting their attention and keeping their belief in us.”” [Ptera Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ptera-hunter/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Presenting half‑truths to preserve norms compromises integrity and erodes the very standards they aim to protect; honesty is essential for credibility. **In simple terms:** Half‑truths damage integrity and undermine norms; honesty restores trust. Key Takeaway Be transparent to maintain credibility and uphold norms. Themes integrity communication ethics Mood thoughtful serious Type ethical motivational When to use this quote - public speaking - journalism - leadership - social media Key Concepts truthfulness norm maintenance Questions to Reflect On - When is partial truth justified? - How does honesty affect audience trust? A Different Perspective Complete transparency may alienate audiences; balance is needed. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Animal behavior](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/animal-behavior/) [Communication](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/communication/) [Deceit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deceit/) [Deceit-quotes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deceit-quotes/) [Ethology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ethology-57760/) [Half Truths](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/half-truths/) [Losing Integrity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/losing-integrity-2130692/) [Lying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lying/) [Lying-quotes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lying-quotes/) [Ptera-hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ptera-hunter-151077/) [Social behavior](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/social-behavior/) [Social norms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/social-norms/) [Tell Half](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tell-half-1305324/) [The-wisdom-of-loki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/the-wisdom-of-loki-189396/) [Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth/) [Truths Attempt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truths-attempt-5731374/) ## Related quotes > [“A know-it-all attitude and presentation annihilates credibility.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ptera-hunter/a-know-it-all-attitude-and-presentation-annihilates-credibility/) [Ptera Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ptera-hunter/) > [“Delusional group-think can help us change into what we cannot deceive ourselves into becoming on our own”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ptera-hunter/delusional-group-think-can-help-us-change-into-what-we-cannot-deceive/) [Ptera Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ptera-hunter/) > [What I argue is that talk of knowledge plays an important role in theories within cognitive ethology. 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