With all great deceivers there is a noteworthy occurrence to which they owe their power. In the actual act of deception... they are overcome by belief in themselves. It is this which then speaks so miraculously and compellingly to those who surround them.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Deceivers gain power because they truly believe in themselves, which makes their lies persuasive to others.
- In plain terms
- Self‑belief makes a liar convincing.
- What can you take from it?
- Believe in your message to influence others.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Why does confidence make falsehoods attractive?
- Can a liar be effective without self‑belief?
Another view
Self‑belief can be misplaced and lead to harmful deception.
More from Friedrich Nietzsche
A witticism is an epigram on the death of a feeling.
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