--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When people can't handle the truth they…" description: "\"When people can't handle the truth they make up excuses for what's happening to them.\" — SONYA PARKER" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/717/sonya-parker-80_handle-the-truth_when-people-can-t-handle-the-truth-they_1059765.jpg" --- # When people can't handle the truth they make up excuses… ![“When people can't handle the truth they make up excuses for what's happening to them.” quote by SONYA PARKER](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/717/sonya-parker-80_handle-the-truth_when-people-can-t-handle-the-truth-they_1059765.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/717/sonya-parker-80_handle-the-truth_when-people-can-t-handle-the-truth-they_1059765.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/717/sonya-parker-80_handle-the-truth_when-people-can-t-handle-the-truth-they_1059765.jpg) > “When people can't handle the truth they make up excuses for what's happening to them.” [SONYA PARKER](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonya-parker/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. When truth is unbearable, people create excuses to avoid it. **In simple terms:** People dodge harsh reality with excuses. Key Takeaway Confront truth. Themes truth avoidance psychology Mood introspective serious Type motivational philosophical When to use this quote - personal growth - conflict resolution - media criticism - leadership Key Concepts cognitive dissonance defense mechanisms Questions to Reflect On - Why do you resist uncomfortable facts? - How can honesty improve outcomes? A Different Perspective Excuses can become self‑fulfilling, hindering progress. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Excuses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/excuses/) [Handle the truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/handle-the-truth/) [Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth/) ## Related quotes > [If you're trying to make them love you, that means that you ALREADY KNOW they don't love you, but you just can't handle the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonya-parker/if-you-re-trying-to-make-them-love-you-that-means-that-you-already/) [SONYA PARKER](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonya-parker/) > [Sometimes, I wish I could read your mind. Then I wonder, if I could handle the truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/sometimes-i-wish-i-could-read-your-mind-then-i-wonder-if-i-could/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You can't handle the truth. Because the truth is, I blew up the Murrah building and isn't it kind of scary that one man…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-mcveigh/you-can-t-handle-the-truth-because-the-truth-is-i-blew-up-the-murrah/) [Timothy McVeigh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-mcveigh/) > [Listening to people espouse beliefs different from mine is informative, not threatening, because the only thing that can alter my worldview is a new…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-j-fox/listening-to-people-espouse-beliefs-different-from-mine-is/) [Michael J. Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-j-fox/) > [I'm not rude, I'm honest. I just speak what's on my mind even if most can't handle the truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/udigwe-vinsnt/i-m-not-rude-i-m-honest-i-just-speak-what-s-on-my-mind-even-if-most/) Udigwe Vinsnt > [A lot of people can't handle the truth. They spend months or years trying to change it instead of just accepting it. That's a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonya-parker/a-lot-of-people-can-t-handle-the-truth-they-spend-months-or-years/) [Sonya Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonya-parker/) > [When the tears are too many and the love is too little, when you want to smile but you have to sigh and you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-the-tears-are-too-many-and-the-love-is-too-little-when-you-want/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Sometimes its for the best to lie as ther are do who can't handle the truth ut instead believes in lies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simphiwe-dumi/sometimes-its-for-the-best-to-lie-as-ther-are-do-who-can-t-handle-the/) [Simphiwe Dumi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simphiwe-dumi/) > [“I could handle the truth. I would listen to its heartbreaks and I would mourn the world as I knew it because that’s the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bianca-scardoni/i-could-handle-the-truth-i-would-listen-to-its-heartbreaks-and-i/) [Bianca Scardoni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bianca-scardoni/) > [“You can't handle the truth!" - Colonel Jessup in A Few Good Men.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-sorkin/you-can-t-handle-the-truth-colonel-jessup-in-a-few-good-men/) [Aaron Sorkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-sorkin/) > [Some people shut you out of their lives because they can't handle the truth about themselves. They judge you as they judged themselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/some-people-shut-you-out-of-their-lives-because-they-can-t-handle-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [People cant handle the truth unless you speak to them with a mirror.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lakia-echols/people-cant-handle-the-truth-unless-you-speak-to-them-with-a-mirror/) Lakia Echols > [I'm not rude. I'm just honest. Not my problem if you can't handle the truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-m-not-rude-i-m-just-honest-not-my-problem-if-you-can-t-handle-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Curmudgeons speak up because they have to, because it’s become critically important for them to tell the truth as they see it. Telling the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lionel-fisher/curmudgeons-speak-up-because-they-have-to-because-it-s-become/) [Lionel Fisher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lionel-fisher/) > [Actually, you \*can\* handle the truth, provided you wear low lint monofilament polyvinyl chloride dotted nylon gloves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-alejandro-king-from-the-covert-comic/actually-you-can-handle-the-truth-provided-you-wear-low-lint/) John Alejandro King From 'The Covert Comic ## More by SONYA PARKER > [If someone leaves you because of a flaw or small problem they're immature, and they are definitely wrong for you. So, good riddance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonya-parker/if-someone-leaves-you-because-of-a-flaw-or-small-problem-they-re/) [Sonya Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonya-parker/) > [If holding onto them requires you to lower your self-worth and self-respect let go of them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonya-parker/if-holding-onto-them-requires-you-to-lower-your-self-worth-and-self/) [Sonya Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonya-parker/) > [I still care about you, but youve lost my trust, youve lost my respect and youve lost me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonya-parker/i-still-care-about-you-but-youve-lost-my-trust-youve-lost-my-respect/) [Sonya Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonya-parker/) > [Everyone has dreams, but everyone isn't willing to fight for their dreams to come true.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonya-parker/everyone-has-dreams-but-everyone-isn-t-willing-to-fight-for-their/) [Sonya Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonya-parker/) > [A jerk will keep hurting you then apologize to keep you from leaving them, and then do it all over again](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonya-parker/a-jerk-will-keep-hurting-you-then-apologize-to-keep-you-from-leaving/) [Sonya Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonya-parker/) > [Just because you failed yesterday it doesn't mean that you can't succeed today or tomorrow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonya-parker/just-because-you-failed-yesterday-it-doesn-t-mean-that-you-can-t/) [Sonya Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonya-parker/) > [Today isn't just another day off, it's a day to remember those who have sacrificed their life for your FREEDOM. Happy Memorial Day!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonya-parker/today-isn-t-just-another-day-off-it-s-a-day-to-remember-those-who/) [Sonya Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonya-parker/) > [Stop holding onto people that treat you like crap. They might be nice sometimes, but the rest of the time they disrespect you and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonya-parker/stop-holding-onto-people-that-treat-you-like-crap-they-might-be-nice/) [Sonya Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonya-parker/) > [Nice people hate saying 'no' to their friends and family, that's why they get used and taken advantage of.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonya-parker/nice-people-hate-saying-no-to-their-friends-and-family-that-s-why/) [Sonya Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonya-parker/) > [Most people don't reach their goals because reaching their goals requires them to do things that they don't want to do. You might not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonya-parker/most-people-don-t-reach-their-goals-because-reaching-their-goals/) [Sonya Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonya-parker/) > [Once a person turns cold it's hard to change back into who they used to be. They have to let go of the past,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonya-parker/once-a-person-turns-cold-it-s-hard-to-change-back-into-who-they-used/) [Sonya Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonya-parker/) > [You're unhappy with your life because you give up when things don't happen fast enough for you. The bigger the goal the longer it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonya-parker/you-re-unhappy-with-your-life-because-you-give-up-when-things-don-t/) [Sonya Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonya-parker/) > [Some people give up on everything just because they can't fix one thing. You might not be able to fix that, but you can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonya-parker/some-people-give-up-on-everything-just-because-they-can-t-fix-one/) [SONYA PARKER](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonya-parker/) > [I dont care how brokenhearted someone is if they wanted to be with you they would because the love they feel for you would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonya-parker/i-dont-care-how-brokenhearted-someone-is-if-they-wanted-to-be-with/) [Sonya Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonya-parker/) > [Love is when someone has the power to break your heart into a thousand pieces, but they make sure it stays in 1 piece.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonya-parker/love-is-when-someone-has-the-power-to-break-your-heart-into-a/) [Sonya Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonya-parker/) [Explore all 1,539 SONYA PARKER quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonya-parker/) ## More Excuses quotes > [You will find that the more successful the individual, the less inclined he is to make excuses.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-joseph-schwartz/you-will-find-that-the-more-successful-the-individual-the-less/) [David Joseph Schwartz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-joseph-schwartz/) > [I wasn't a bad kid. My dad left when I was young, so I didn't have much discipline, not that I'm making excuses. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danny-dyer/i-wasn-t-a-bad-kid-my-dad-left-when-i-was-young-so-i-didn-t-have-much/) [Danny Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danny-dyer/) > [Sometimes you don't need to hear their excuses or what they have to say for themselves because their actions already spoke the truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brittany/sometimes-you-don-t-need-to-hear-their-excuses-or-what-they-have-to/) [Brittany](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brittany/) > [Most people don't reach their goals because reaching their goals requires them to do things that they don't want to do. You might not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonya-parker/most-people-don-t-reach-their-goals-because-reaching-their-goals/) [Sonya Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonya-parker/) > [Existence of emotions also are nothing without excuses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mak-786/existence-of-emotions-also-are-nothing-without-excuses/) Mak\_786 > [The only thing stopping you from getting it done is your excuses.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonya-parker/the-only-thing-stopping-you-from-getting-it-done-is-your-excuses/) [SONYA PARKER](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonya-parker/) > [I'm not a sympathetic guy when I see people throwing their lives away and using their life's obstacles as excuses to fail. I just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dabo-swinney/i-m-not-a-sympathetic-guy-when-i-see-people-throwing-their-lives-away/) [Dabo Swinney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dabo-swinney/) > [It is impossible to need excuses when the focus of your life shifts from 'What's in it for me?' to 'How can I serve?'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-dyer/it-is-impossible-to-need-excuses-when-the-focus-of-your-life-shifts/) [Wayne Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-dyer/) > [Excuses cost a dime and that's why the poor could afford a lot of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-kiyosaki/excuses-cost-a-dime-and-that-s-why-the-poor-could-afford-a-lot-of-it/) [Robert Kiyosaki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-kiyosaki/) > [Excuses are the nails used to build a house of failure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-rohn/excuses-are-the-nails-used-to-build-a-house-of-failure/) [Jim Rohn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-rohn/) > [I will never attempt to even begin to make excuses for what I did in football.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-storey/i-will-never-attempt-to-even-begin-to-make-excuses-for-what-i-did-in/) [Peter Storey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-storey/) > [“If they want to be in your life, they'll find a way to be in your life. Otherwise they'll find excuses.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mandy-hale/if-they-want-to-be-in-your-life-they-ll-find-a-way-to-be-in-your-life/) [Mandy Hale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mandy-hale/) > [“Your explanation is good, but your herring doesn't fry, as we say in Ramaldah," he exploded.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-ashling/your-explanation-is-good-but-your-herring-doesn-t-fry-as-we-say-in/) [Andrew Ashling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-ashling/) > [“To recklessly excuse a failure is to believe that I’ve effectively erased it from the story of my life, when I’ve actually imprinted it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-d-lounsbrough/to-recklessly-excuse-a-failure-is-to-believe-that-i-ve-effectively/) [Craig D. Lounsbrough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-d-lounsbrough/) > [“I’ve got to stop this. Stop worrying about the why. Stop forcing what was happening into the realm of impossible. Stop hiding behind excuses.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deatri-king-bey/i-ve-got-to-stop-this-stop-worrying-about-the-why-stop-forcing-what/) [Deatri King-Bey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deatri-king-bey/) [Browse all 1,069 Excuses quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/excuses/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When people can't handle the truth they make up excuses for what's happening to them.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "SONYA PARKER" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonya-parker/when-people-can-t-handle-the-truth-they-make-up-excuses-for-what-s/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Excuses" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonya-parker/when-people-can-t-handle-the-truth-they-make-up-excuses-for-what-s/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/717/sonya-parker-80_handle-the-truth_when-people-can-t-handle-the-truth-they_1059765.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/717/sonya-parker-80_handle-the-truth_when-people-can-t-handle-the-truth-they_1059765.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/717/sonya-parker-80_handle-the-truth_when-people-can-t-handle-the-truth-they_1059765.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“When people can't handle the truth they make up excuses for what's happening to them.” — SONYA PARKER", "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": "SONYA PARKER", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonya-parker/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "When people can't handle the truth...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonya-parker/when-people-can-t-handle-the-truth-they-make-up-excuses-for-what-s/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonya-parker/when-people-can-t-handle-the-truth-they-make-up-excuses-for-what-s/#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 } } ] } ```