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About this quote

What does it mean?
Self-deception is often more convincing to the liar than lies told to others.
In plain terms
We are best at tricking ourselves.
What can you take from it?
Lying to yourself is easier than lying to others.

Where it applies

  • personal relationships
  • self-improvement
  • decision making

Putting it to work

  • practice radical honesty
  • question your motives

Questions to consider

  • When do you make excuses for yourself?
  • What lies do you tell yourself?

Another view

External lies are easier to detect and can have more direct consequences.

More from Eric Hoffer

  1. A doctrine insulates the devout not only against the realities around them but also against their own selves. The fanatical believer is not conscious of his en…

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  2. When we believe ourselves in possession of the only truth, we are likely to be indifferent to common everyday truths.

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  3. The weakness of a soul is proportionate to the number of truths that must be kept from it.

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