--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It’s not enough to be able to lie with a…" description: "\"It’s not enough to be able to lie with a straight face; anybody with enough gall to raise on a busted flush can do that. The first way to lie artistica..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/027/robert-a-heinlein-209_able_it-s-not-enough-to-be-able-to-lie-with-a_203045.jpg" --- # It’s not enough to be able to lie with a straight face… ![“It’s not enough to be able to lie with a straight face; anybody with enough gall to raise on a busted flush can do that. The first way to lie artistically is to tell the truth — but not all of it. The second way involves telling the truth, too, but is harder: Tell the exact truth and maybe all of…” quote by Robert A. Heinlein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/027/robert-a-heinlein-209_able_it-s-not-enough-to-be-able-to-lie-with-a_203045.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/027/robert-a-heinlein-209_able_it-s-not-enough-to-be-able-to-lie-with-a_203045.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/027/robert-a-heinlein-209_able_it-s-not-enough-to-be-able-to-lie-with-a_203045.jpg) > “It’s not enough to be able to lie with a straight face; anybody with enough gall to raise on a busted flush can do that. The first way to lie artistically is to tell the truth — but not all of it. The second way involves telling the truth, too, but is harder: Tell the exact truth and maybe all of it…but tell it so unconvincingly that your listener is sure you are lying.” [Robert A. Heinlein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-a-heinlein/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Lying can be artistic by presenting partial truth or delivering full truth in a way that seems deceptive. **In simple terms:** Artful deception uses truth creatively. Key Takeaway Use truth strategically to influence perception. Themes deception truth communication artistry Mood cynical reflective Type philosophical literary When to use this quote - political speech - advertising - personal negotiations - storytelling - media criticism Key Concepts philosophy psychology literature Questions to Reflect On - When have you used partial truth to protect someone? - How does presenting truth unconvincingly affect credibility? A Different Perspective Risk of eroding trust if overused. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Faces](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faces/) [Lying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lying/) [Sarcastic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sarcastic/) [Straight face](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/straight-face/) [Telling the truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/telling-the-truth/) [Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth/) ## Related quotes > [Because Scientology is perceived and conceived by Scientologists as being this salvation for mankind, you can have people that lie with a very straight…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-rinder/because-scientology-is-perceived-and-conceived-by-scientologists-as/) Mike Rinder > [Time flies, dreams die, people lose faith, Tryna hide behind a lie with a straight face.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/xzibit/time-flies-dreams-die-people-lose-faith-tryna-hide-behind-a-lie-with/) [Xzibit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/xzibit/) > [When people lie straight to your face, especially when you know the truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-people-lie-straight-to-your-face-especially-when-you-know-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'm not that cool with people who lie straight to my face multiple times.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eva-marie/i-m-not-that-cool-with-people-who-lie-straight-to-my-face-multiple/) [Eva Marie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eva-marie/) > [I swear you think you know someone but damn they lie straight to your face for real.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-swear-you-think-you-know-someone-but-damn-they-lie-straight-to-your/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Please tell me a lie, Straight from the heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryaj-ablando-catayas/please-tell-me-a-lie-straight-from-the-heart/) [Ryaj Ablando Catayas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryaj-ablando-catayas/) > [Everyone can lie straight through their teeth but can they lie through their eyes?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/everyone-can-lie-straight-through-their-teeth-but-can-they-lie/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I want the truth, not the half lil-white-lie but the straight-up truth!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rebecca/i-want-the-truth-not-the-half-lil-white-lie-but-the-straight-up-truth/) [Rebecca](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rebecca/) > [I think the most important thing I learned from my dad is the importance of telling the truth...treat other people well, work hard at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-mcdonough/i-think-the-most-important-thing-i-learned-from-my-dad-is-the/) Sean McDonough > [It is better to tell the truth to make someone cry, than to tell a lie to make someone smile.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shairmaine-y/it-is-better-to-tell-the-truth-to-make-someone-cry-than-to-tell-a-lie/) Shairmaine Y > [Tell the truth and nothing but the truth. 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