“The best lies to tell are the ones people want to believe.”
This interesting quote is from Jasper Fforde’s Shades of Grey (not the 50 kind). The following musings are not about that book (which is great, and I love all his books) but about this single quote in isolation.
The quote interests me because it can be perceived as both positive and negative. I’m always spotting contradictions because I’m always searching for balance. Balance is the key to getting through the moment, through the day, through life. And finding balance amidst the contradictions can be tricky and exhausting.
Contradictions mimic a scale: two opposing sides battling for weight and the spotlight. Let’s examine the contradictions in the above quote.
Best and Lies: Can lies, in their very nature, be called best? We are taught right from wrong, and we are taught that lying is bad; lies lead to trouble. They create a tangled web that ensnares and then dumps us into embarrassing (or worse) situations. Does a best lie exist? If a lie is best, does that make it okay to tell? Is silence a best lie or a gentle truth?
Lies and Believe: If told cleverly, a lie is easily believed. Is this really a contradiction? I think it is. If someone doesn’t believe, is it really a lie? Confusing, isn’t it? That’s why I like contradictions. They provoke thought. They create questions, and questions lead to debate, and debate leads to answers or even to more questions. Don’t stop questioning the contradictions. Don’t stop questioning both the lies and the truths.
The quote tells us that people want lies if the truth is unthinkable, unbearable, unflattering. This may apply to many, but not to me. I prefer the truth. Yes, the truth can be ugly, but deception and self-deception are far worse. Don’t lie to me to spare my feelings. Don’t lie about me to make yourself feel like a winner. Don’t lie to yourself because the truth makes you uncomfortable. Don’t make something a truth by telling a lie. My head is spinning! Do question what you hear, read, and see because someone’s best lie might not be best for you or may hide the truth until that lie becomes the truth. Still spinning over here!
People and Believe: We can believe in people, but we don’t always believe people. Sounds sneakily like a contradiction. It’s hard to determine how many lies are flung at us throughout our day. I would like to think most people are honest or at least considerate enough to keep silent rather than spew a lie. This doesn’t make me gullible, it makes me hopeful. I know people lie, but I want to believe you because I believe in you.
Balance is good, right? But a world without lies would be unbalanced. I don’t want lies (mine or yours) in my life, but they are there all the same. Good News! Balancing those lies with truths creates awareness and appreciation for the truth when it becomes heavier than the lie and captures the spotlight.
Read the quote again. What do you see?
Contradictions happen. Balance happens. People often lie and tell the truth on the daily. Never look at only one side, and never think one side is completely right or completely wrong. It’s a muddle, and life is a beautiful mess of contradictions and balance.
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If you want to be saturated with contradictions and balance, read A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens.
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If only everyone were as introspective and perceptive as you have been here. Balance…What is lightness without darkness, right? I am with you that I’d rather have truth no matter how unpleasant or awkward or inconvenient it may be. Truth can be managed. Lies really can’t.
Keep writing!
So true. Sometimes a quote speaks to me, like this one, and makes me think. I don’t like to believe we have become immune to lies and some are harmless if they don’t “hurt” anyone. I used to do this type of writing a lot. Maybe I’ll start again because it can be quite therapeutic. 🙂