---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The truth will set you free - but first…"
description: "\"“The truth will set you free - but first it may thoroughly irritate you.”\" — Susan Scott"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cb2/susan-scott-15883_truth_the-truth-will-set-you-free-but-first-it_1410037.jpg"
---

#  The truth will set you free - but first it may thoroughly…

![“The truth will set you free - but first it may thoroughly irritate you.” quote by Susan Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cb2/susan-scott-15883_truth_the-truth-will-set-you-free-but-first-it_1410037.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cb2/susan-scott-15883_truth_the-truth-will-set-you-free-but-first-it_1410037.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cb2/susan-scott-15883_truth_the-truth-will-set-you-free-but-first-it_1410037.jpg)

> ““The truth will set you free - but first it may thoroughly irritate you.””

[Susan Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-scott/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Freedom comes after confronting uncomfortable truths, which may initially cause irritation.

**In simple terms:** Truth can be unsettling before it liberates.

Key Takeaway

Face truth despite discomfort.

Themes

truth freedom growth

Mood

challenged hopeful

Type

motivational philosophical

When to use this quote

- self‑reflection
- conflict resolution
- learning
- decision making

Key Concepts

cognitive dissonance personal development

Questions to Reflect On

- What truth are you avoiding?
- How can irritation become a catalyst?

A Different Perspective

Irritation may deter people from seeking truth.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Free Thoroughly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/free-thoroughly-4966432/) [Irritate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/irritate/) [Set free](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/set-free/) [Set You Free](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/set-you-free/) [Thoroughly Irritate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thoroughly-irritate-4966431/) [Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth/) [Truth Set](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth-set/) [Truth will set you free](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth-will-set-you-free/)

## Related quotes

> [“As has been said, the truth will set you free - but first it will make you miserable.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-watts/as-has-been-said-the-truth-will-set-you-free-but-first-it-will-make/)

[Malcolm Watts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-watts/)

> [Once I came out of the closet, it was sort of that thing of 'The truth will set you free.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-groff/once-i-came-out-of-the-closet-it-was-sort-of-that-thing-of-the-truth/)

[Jonathan Groff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-groff/)

> [“And the truth will set you free...”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/the-most-dangerous-animal-of-them-all-gary-l-stewart-and-susan-mustafa/and-the-truth-will-set-you-free/)

[The Most Dangerous Animal of Them All Gary L Stewart and Susan Mustafa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/the-most-dangerous-animal-of-them-all-gary-l-stewart-and-susan-mustafa/)

> [This doesn't seem like one of those 'truth will set you free' situations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-costanzo/this-doesn-t-seem-like-one-of-those-truth-will-set-you-free-situations/)

[Paulo Costanzo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-costanzo/)

> [“The truth will set you free, they say, but believe me, nothing will set you free.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ava-farmehri/the-truth-will-set-you-free-they-say-but-believe-me-nothing-will-set/)

[Ava Farmehri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ava-farmehri/)

> [The pursuit of truth will set you free; even if you never catch up with it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clarence-darrow/the-pursuit-of-truth-will-set-you-free-even-if-you-never-catch-up/)

[Clarence Darrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clarence-darrow/)

> [“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (8:32)”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/then-you-will-know-the-truth-and-the-truth-will-set-you-free-8-32/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Truth will set you free, but it will make you mad at first!!!!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deanna-cotton/truth-will-set-you-free-but-it-will-make-you-mad-at-first/)

[Deanna Cotton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deanna-cotton/)

> [I was taught the truth will set you free... unless, of course, you want the truth about who killed JFK.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-belzer/i-was-taught-the-truth-will-set-you-free-unless-of-course-you-want/)

[Richard Belzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-belzer/)

> [Truth will set you free…But first it'll piss you off!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simi-ngr/truth-will-set-you-free-but-first-it-ll-piss-you-off/)

[Simi Ngr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simi-ngr/)

> [The truth will set you free, but first it will piss you off. I hate you ...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jazoozie/the-truth-will-set-you-free-but-first-it-will-piss-you-off-i-hate-you/)

[Jazoozie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jazoozie/)

> [Truth will set you free. And Truth has a name...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-p-young/truth-will-set-you-free-and-truth-has-a-name/)

[William P. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-p-young/)

> [The truth will set you free but first it will piss you off](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-truth-will-set-you-free-but-first-it-will-piss-you-off/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [The truth will set you free...unless you want to know the truth about who killed JFK.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-belzer/the-truth-will-set-you-free-unless-you-want-to-know-the-truth-about/)

[Richard Belzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-belzer/)

> [The truth will set you free. Either that or it'll get you a punch in the nose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-hornby/the-truth-will-set-you-free-either-that-or-it-ll-get-you-a-punch-in/)

[Nick Hornby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-hornby/)

## More by Susan Scott

> [“We resent being talked to. We’d rather be talked with. So will all of the experts and the terminally self-absorbed please leave the room…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-scott/we-resent-being-talked-to-we-d-rather-be-talked-with-so-will-all-of/)

[Susan Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-scott/)

> [“leave this conversation with”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-scott/leave-this-conversation-with/)

[Susan Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-scott/)

> [“Ask yourself . . . What are my goals when I converse with people? What kinds of things do I usually discuss? Are there other topics that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-scott/ask-yourself-what-are-my-goals-when-i-converse-with-people-what-kinds/)

[Susan Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-scott/)

> [“A leader’s job is to get it right for the organization, not to be right.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-scott/a-leader-s-job-is-to-get-it-right-for-the-organization-not-to-be-right/)

[Susan Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-scott/)

> [“I have not yet witnessed a spontaneous recovery from incompetence.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-scott/i-have-not-yet-witnessed-a-spontaneous-recovery-from-incompetence/)

[Susan Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-scott/)

> [“Authenticity is not something you have—it’s something you choose. In”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-scott/authenticity-is-not-something-you-have-it-s-something-you-choose-in/)

[Susan Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-scott/)

> [“inclusion + engagement = execution muscle”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-scott/inclusion-engagement-execution-muscle/)

[Susan Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-scott/)

> [“I want us all to stop thinking only in terms of accomplishments, of task and completion, of beating the competition, of gathering income and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-scott/i-want-us-all-to-stop-thinking-only-in-terms-of-accomplishments-of/)

[Susan Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-scott/)

> [“Once you achieve intimacy and connection, I predict that innovation, partnership, execution and success won't be far behind.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-scott/once-you-achieve-intimacy-and-connection-i-predict-that-innovation/)

[Susan Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-scott/)

> [“Accountable Authentic Collaborative Courageous Passionate Lifelong learner Welcomes feedback Biased toward action Solution oriented Change agent”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-scott/accountable-authentic-collaborative-courageous-passionate-lifelong/)

[Susan Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-scott/)

> [“I shared what I feel is the right way to go, the right course of action, and I suspect some of you may see…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-scott/i-shared-what-i-feel-is-the-right-way-to-go-the-right-course-of/)

[Susan Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-scott/)

> [“Err on the side of inclusion, rather than exclusion. Send”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-scott/err-on-the-side-of-inclusion-rather-than-exclusion-send/)

[Susan Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-scott/)

> [“In any situation, the person who can most accurately describe reality without laying blame will emerge as the leader, whether designated or not. Here’s”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-scott/in-any-situation-the-person-who-can-most-accurately-describe-reality/)

[Susan Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-scott/)

> [“As a leader, you get what you tolerate. People do not repeat behavior unless it is rewarded.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-scott/as-a-leader-you-get-what-you-tolerate-people-do-not-repeat-behavior/)

[Susan Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-scott/)

> [“At Sundance, Robert Redford begins meetings by saying, “I am inviting you to influence me. I want to be different when this meeting is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-scott/at-sundance-robert-redford-begins-meetings-by-saying-i-am-inviting/)

[Susan Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-scott/)

[Explore all 41 Susan Scott quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-scott/)

## More Irritate quotes

> [Lmaooo. . . . like if ever any kid irritate you like this :D](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shy-boy/lmaooo-like-if-ever-any-kid-irritate-you-like-this-d/)

[SHY BOY](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shy-boy/)

> [When I was a kid, I used to pretend to be Bond; I used to make up scenarios and irritate my sister and annoy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aneurin-barnard/when-i-was-a-kid-i-used-to-pretend-to-be-bond-i-used-to-make-up/)

[Aneurin Barnard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aneurin-barnard/)

> [“I decided to irritate him, on the premise that it couldn't make my situation any worse.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-somers/i-decided-to-irritate-him-on-the-premise-that-it-couldn-t-make-my/)

[Jeff Somers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-somers/)

> [“Or, rather, you irritate everyone, Curdle. Because you're so unreliable.' 'I'm not always unreliable, Telorast.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-erikson/or-rather-you-irritate-everyone-curdle-because-you-re-so-unreliable-i/)

[Steven Erikson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-erikson/)

> [If your opponent is of choleric temper, irritate him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/if-your-opponent-is-of-choleric-temper-irritate-him/)

[Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/)

> [“Some people take offense like it's a limited time offer.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-fargo/some-people-take-offense-like-it-s-a-limited-time-offer/)

[Tim Fargo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-fargo/)

> [I seem to be some sort of lightning rod. I just really irritate people, you know? I really do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-stern/i-seem-to-be-some-sort-of-lightning-rod-i-just-really-irritate-people/)

[Howard Stern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-stern/)

> [There are two types of people who really irritate me: 1. A drunk person when I'm sober. 2. A sober person when I'm drunk.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nishan-panwar/there-are-two-types-of-people-who-really-irritate-me-1-a-drunk-person/)

[Nishan Panwar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nishan-panwar/)

> [Since I'm the judge, it's a very stupid thing to irritate me!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judy-sheindlin/since-i-m-the-judge-it-s-a-very-stupid-thing-to-irritate-me/)

[Judy Sheindlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judy-sheindlin/)

> [Why would I kill someone I don't know, when I know so many people who irritate me, and havent't killed any of them?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/why-would-i-kill-someone-i-don-t-know-when-i-know-so-many-people-who/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [In a personal way, we like to irritate by just staying around.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-mael/in-a-personal-way-we-like-to-irritate-by-just-staying-around/)

[Ron Mael](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-mael/)

> [I'm not easily wound up, but overly cynical people irritate me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/freddie-fox/i-m-not-easily-wound-up-but-overly-cynical-people-irritate-me/)

[Freddie Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/freddie-fox/)

> [“The things about others that irritate, annoy, and unsettle us are the very things we have not accepted and embraced about ourselves”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-alan-woods/the-things-about-others-that-irritate-annoy-and-unsettle-us-are-the/)

[R. Alan Woods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-alan-woods/)

> [I use Bioderma, because it's very gentle, water-based, and it doesn't irritate the skin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/devon-windsor/i-use-bioderma-because-it-s-very-gentle-water-based-and-it-doesn-t/)

[Devon Windsor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/devon-windsor/)

> [“Being bigheaded can be as irritating and as dangerous as being small-minded.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mokokoma-mokhonoana/being-bigheaded-can-be-as-irritating-and-as-dangerous-as-being-small/)

[Mokokoma Mokhonoana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mokokoma-mokhonoana/)

[Browse all 44 Irritate quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/irritate/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“The truth will set you free - but first it may thoroughly irritate you.”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Susan Scott"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-scott/the-truth-will-set-you-free-but-first-it-may-thoroughly-irritate-you/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Irritate"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-scott/the-truth-will-set-you-free-but-first-it-may-thoroughly-irritate-you/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cb2/susan-scott-15883_truth_the-truth-will-set-you-free-but-first-it_1410037.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cb2/susan-scott-15883_truth_the-truth-will-set-you-free-but-first-it_1410037.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cb2/susan-scott-15883_truth_the-truth-will-set-you-free-but-first-it_1410037.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“The truth will set you free - but first it may thoroughly irritate you.” — Susan Scott",
                "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": "Susan Scott",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-scott/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“The truth will set you free...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-scott/the-truth-will-set-you-free-but-first-it-may-thoroughly-irritate-you/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-scott/the-truth-will-set-you-free-but-first-it-may-thoroughly-irritate-you/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
