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About this quote

What does it mean?
Many people prefer comforting lies over honest truths that cause discomfort or worry.
In plain terms
People do not want honest answers if they cause anxiety so they want soft lies instead.
What can you take from it?
Prepare yourself to receive and deliver difficult truths.

Where it applies

  • feedback sessions
  • personal relationships
  • crisis management

Putting it to work

  • embrace difficult conversations
  • value truth over comfort

Questions to consider

  • Do you prefer truth or comfort in tough times?
  • How do you react to bad news?

Another view

Sometimes gentle handling is needed to deliver bad news effectively.

More from Louis Kronenberger

  1. It is the gossip columnist's business to write about what is none of his business.

    Permalink to quote #5
  2. Nothing so soothes our vanity as a display of greater vanity in others; it make us vain, in fact, of our modesty.

    Permalink to quote #7
  3. Individualism is rather like innocence; there must be something unconscious about it.

    Permalink to quote #4

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