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About this quote

What does it mean?
The author warns against labeling those who speak hard truths as liars.
In plain terms
Do not call someone a liar just because they tell the truth you dislike.
What can you take from it?
Truth often feels uncomfortable, but that does not make it false.

Where it applies

  • political discourse
  • personal conflict
  • criticism

Putting it to work

  • verify facts
  • resist bias against truth

Questions to consider

  • How do you react when truth hurts?
  • Do you prefer comfort over truth?

Another view

Sometimes those claiming truth are actually lying; context matters.

More from Orson Scott Card

  1. We pretend to be whatever we must in order to survive.

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  2. You don't love him, you don't know how to love people. You only know how to own them. And because people will never act just like you want them too... You'll a…

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  3. How do they manage it, these humans - beginning each time so innocently, yet always sending up with the most blood on their hands?

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