Skip to content
quotesby

About this quote

What does it mean?
The speaker compares the smell of lies to the overpowering and deadly odor of death in the room.
In plain terms
Lying creates an awful, death-like atmosphere that is impossible to ignore.
What can you take from it?
Dishonesty creates a toxic environment that is as palpable as death.

Where it applies

  • confronting deceit
  • discussing trust
  • analyzing toxic environments

Putting it to work

  • call out dishonesty
  • value transparency
  • avoid toxic situations

Questions to consider

  • How do lies change the feel of a room?
  • Is honesty always better than comfort?

Another view

Metaphorical descriptions of truth may not resonate with those who view lies as harmless.

More from Tennessee Williams

  1. You said, 'They're harmless dreamers and they're loved by the people.' - 'What,' I asked you, 'is harmless about a dreamer, and what,' I asked you, 'is harmles…

    Permalink to quote #27
  2. You said it yourself Big Daddy, mendacity is a system we live in.

    Permalink to quote #29
  3. I know this place. ... Here it is on the chart. Look, it says here: 'Continue until you come to the square of a walled town which is the end of the Camino Real…

    Permalink to quote #26

Related quotes

  1. Please don't lie to me, unless you're absolutely sure I'll never find out the truth.

    Ashleigh BrilliantAshleigh Brilliant quote #1
  2. It was a lie of course, that it wouldn't hurt a bit. But since adults always said that when it was going to hurt, he could count on that statement as an accura…

    Orson Scott CardOrson Scott Card quote #34
  3. If any question why we died, Tell them, because our fathers lied.

    Rudyard KiplingRudyard Kipling quote #61