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Lying is the most simple form of self-defence.
Susan Sontag
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Lying serves as an easy way for individuals to protect themselves from truth or vulnerability.

This quote by Susan Sontag suggests that people often resort to lying as a basic instinct to shield themselves from harm or to avoid uncomfortable truths. Instead of facing difficult situations or acknowledging their real feelings, individuals might find solace in deception as a defense mechanism, implementing it as a means of self-preservation in interpersonal interactions.

Themes

LyingSelf-DefenseTruthDeceptionPhilosophy

In practice

Example use cases

During a discussion about honesty in relationships, this quote could illustrate the temptation to avoid the truth.

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Quote by Susan Sontag | QuoteProject