--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I think what makes us human is those…" description: "\"I think what makes us human is those choices - whether to tell the truth or not.\" — Ricky Gervais" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4f7/ricky-gervais-851_choice_i-think-what-makes-us-human-is-those-cho_2351085.png" --- # I think what makes us human is those choices - whether to… ![“I think what makes us human is those choices - whether to tell the truth or not.” quote by Ricky Gervais](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4f7/ricky-gervais-851_choice_i-think-what-makes-us-human-is-those-cho_2351085.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4f7/ricky-gervais-851_choice_i-think-what-makes-us-human-is-those-cho_2351085.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4f7/ricky-gervais-851_choice_i-think-what-makes-us-human-is-those-cho_2351085.png) > “I think what makes us human is those choices - whether to tell the truth or not.” [Ricky Gervais](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ricky-gervais/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Humanity is defined by the moral choice between honesty and deceit. **In simple terms:** Our choices between truth and lies shape us. Key Takeaway Choose honesty to affirm humanity. Themes ethics truth human nature choice integrity Mood humorous provocative Type ethical philosophical When to use this quote - workplace - politics - personal relationships - media commentary Key Concepts moral decision social trust personal responsibility authenticity Questions to Reflect On - When have you faced a truth‑vs‑lie dilemma? - What consequences follow choosing honesty? A Different Perspective Deception can be socially advantageous, complicating the moral calculus. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Choice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choice/) [Choices](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choices/) [Humans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humans/) [Telling the truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/telling-the-truth/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth/) ## Related quotes > [It is not what you say or hope or wish or intend but only what you do that counts. 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The kitten similarly becomes a cat on the basis of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rollo-may/the-acorn-becomes-an-oak-by-means-of-automatic-growth-no-commitment/) [Rollo May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rollo-may/) > [It is in the middle that human choices are made; the beginning and the end remain with God. The decrees of God are birth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oswald-chambers/it-is-in-the-middle-that-human-choices-are-made-the-beginning-and-the/) [Oswald Chambers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oswald-chambers/) > [Always tell the truth or the truth will tell on you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-k-sonnenberg/always-tell-the-truth-or-the-truth-will-tell-on-you/) [Frank K. Sonnenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-k-sonnenberg/) > [When you get real old, honey, you realize there are certain things that just don't matter anymore. You lay it all on the table.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-louise-delany/when-you-get-real-old-honey-you-realize-there-are-certain-things-that/) [Sarah Louise Delany](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-louise-delany/) > [ \[Eugene Smith\] was always writing these diatribes about truth, and how he wanted to tell the truth, the truth, the truth. It was a… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-clark/eugene-smith-was-always-writing-these-diatribes-about-truth-and-how/) [Larry Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-clark/) > [Tell the truth or trump-but get the trick.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/tell-the-truth-or-trump-but-get-the-trick/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [When you're playing country music, you have to tell the truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christian-kane/when-you-re-playing-country-music-you-have-to-tell-the-truth/) [Christian Kane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christian-kane/) > [Tell the truth and you won't have so much to remember](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/tell-the-truth-and-you-won-t-have-so-much-to-remember/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [It requires as much to tell the truth as to conceal it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baltasar-gracian/it-requires-as-much-to-tell-the-truth-as-to-conceal-it/) [Baltasar Gracian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baltasar-gracian/) ## More by Ricky Gervais > [I was David Bowie-thin up to about 28, and then I discovered food.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ricky-gervais/i-was-david-bowie-thin-up-to-about-28-and-then-i-discovered-food/) [Ricky Gervais](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ricky-gervais/) > [I don't like it when I see a racist comedian go up and say, 'What are we gonna do about all these immigrants?' and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ricky-gervais/i-don-t-like-it-when-i-see-a-racist-comedian-go-up-and-say-what-are/) [Ricky Gervais](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ricky-gervais/) > [The truth doesn't hurt. Whatever it is, it doesn't hurt. It's better to know the truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ricky-gervais/the-truth-doesn-t-hurt-whatever-it-is-it-doesn-t-hurt-it-s-better-to/) [Ricky Gervais](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ricky-gervais/) > [If all the Atheists & Agnostics left America, they'd lose 93% of The National Academy of Sciences & less than 1% of the prison population.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ricky-gervais/if-all-the-atheists-agnostics-left-america-they-d-lose-93-of-the/) [Ricky Gervais](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ricky-gervais/) > [There are so many films now where you know the story is a supporting role to the visual effects.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ricky-gervais/there-are-so-many-films-now-where-you-know-the-story-is-a-supporting/) [Ricky Gervais](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ricky-gervais/) > [When I was about to be famous, I feared it on a few levels. I feared it because I didn't want people to lump…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ricky-gervais/when-i-was-about-to-be-famous-i-feared-it-on-a-few-levels-i-feared-it/) [Ricky Gervais](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ricky-gervais/) > [It will be great to play a short, fat sweaty loser for a change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ricky-gervais/it-will-be-great-to-play-a-short-fat-sweaty-loser-for-a-change/) [Ricky Gervais](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ricky-gervais/) > [I went to university with no money. I can't understand a society that wouldn't give a poor person the same opportunity as a rich…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ricky-gervais/i-went-to-university-with-no-money-i-can-t-understand-a-society-that/) [Ricky Gervais](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ricky-gervais/) > [I'm a failed pop star. I always sneak a song into everything I do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ricky-gervais/i-m-a-failed-pop-star-i-always-sneak-a-song-into-everything-i-do/) [Ricky Gervais](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ricky-gervais/) > [The grass isn't always greener on the other side!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ricky-gervais/the-grass-isn-t-always-greener-on-the-other-side/) [Ricky Gervais](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ricky-gervais/) > [I am myself sometimes, and I do state my opinions, but not in a comedy routine and not in my character. There always has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ricky-gervais/i-am-myself-sometimes-and-i-do-state-my-opinions-but-not-in-a-comedy/) [Ricky Gervais](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ricky-gervais/) > [Wearing cosmetics that were tested on animals makes you ugly on the inside](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ricky-gervais/wearing-cosmetics-that-were-tested-on-animals-makes-you-ugly-on-the/) [Ricky Gervais](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ricky-gervais/) > [There's a difference between a job and a career - if you're the boss you don't stop at six o'clock, you have to worry…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ricky-gervais/there-s-a-difference-between-a-job-and-a-career-if-you-re-the-boss/) [Ricky Gervais](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ricky-gervais/) > [Stupidity without malice isn't horrible; some people can't help it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ricky-gervais/stupidity-without-malice-isn-t-horrible-some-people-can-t-help-it/) [Ricky Gervais](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ricky-gervais/) > [It's interesting that music in this country... we sort of sold something to America with The Beatles and they sold something back. And we've…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ricky-gervais/it-s-interesting-that-music-in-this-country-we-sort-of-sold-something/) [Ricky Gervais](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ricky-gervais/) [Explore all 351 Ricky Gervais quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ricky-gervais/) ## More Choice quotes > [Making the right decision is hard,telling someone your decision is even harder.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhishek-tiwari/making-the-right-decision-is-hard-telling-someone-your-decision-is/) [Abhishek Tiwari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhishek-tiwari/) > [“That’s all! Now either leave us alone or join us as a father rather than a receiver of sacrifices. You have the choice of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-simmons/that-s-all-now-either-leave-us-alone-or-join-us-as-a-father-rather/) [Dan Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-simmons/) > [“In a world of fixed future, there can be no right or wrong. 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Theres no point asking why life has reserved certain joys or griefs, you just accept them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-coelho/you-dont-choose-your-life-it-chooses-you-theres-no-point-asking-why/) [Paulo Coelho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-coelho/) > [There has always been a feeling with people that they love my singing but not always the choice of material.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alison-moyet/there-has-always-been-a-feeling-with-people-that-they-love-my-singing/) [Alison Moyet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alison-moyet/) > [I have too many options when it comes to guitars.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-nielsen/i-have-too-many-options-when-it-comes-to-guitars/) [Rick Nielsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-nielsen/) > [“Amazing how a small choice can change your life forever.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-c-dockens/amazing-how-a-small-choice-can-change-your-life-forever/) Randy C. Dockens > [Change is inevitable but personal growth is a choice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-proctor/change-is-inevitable-but-personal-growth-is-a-choice/) [Bob Proctor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-proctor/) > [If you choose to draw from the inner well of free will, then you can make choices that are outside your current karmic patterns.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/if-you-choose-to-draw-from-the-inner-well-of-free-will-then-you-can/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [Since I don't outline my books very much, I feel like sometimes I don't have a choice in what the characters do; they just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-todd/since-i-don-t-outline-my-books-very-much-i-feel-like-sometimes-i-don/) [Anna Todd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-todd/) > [Act always so as to increase the number of choices](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heinz-von-foerster/act-always-so-as-to-increase-the-number-of-choices/) [Heinz von Foerster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heinz-von-foerster/) > [Words can only have an effect on you if you choose to listen to them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernajoy-vaal/words-can-only-have-an-effect-on-you-if-you-choose-to-listen-to-them/) [Bernajoy Vaal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernajoy-vaal/) [Browse all 8,092 Choice quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choice/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I think what makes us human is those choices - whether to tell the truth or not.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ricky Gervais" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ricky-gervais/i-think-what-makes-us-human-is-those-choices-whether-to-tell-the/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Choice" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ricky-gervais/i-think-what-makes-us-human-is-those-choices-whether-to-tell-the/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4f7/ricky-gervais-851_choice_i-think-what-makes-us-human-is-those-cho_2351085.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4f7/ricky-gervais-851_choice_i-think-what-makes-us-human-is-those-cho_2351085.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4f7/ricky-gervais-851_choice_i-think-what-makes-us-human-is-those-cho_2351085.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I think what makes us human is those choices - whether to tell the truth or not.” — Ricky Gervais", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Ricky Gervais", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ricky-gervais/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I think what makes us human...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ricky-gervais/i-think-what-makes-us-human-is-those-choices-whether-to-tell-the/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ricky-gervais/i-think-what-makes-us-human-is-those-choices-whether-to-tell-the/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```