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John Steinbeck Quotes about Lying

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An unbelieved truth can hurt a man much more than a lie. It takes great courage to back truth unacceptable to our times. There's a punishment for it, and it's usually crucifixion.

An unbelieved truth can hurt a man much more than a lie. It takes great courage to back truth unacceptable to our times. There's a punishment for it, and it's usually crucifixion.

John Steinbeck
Courage, Hurt, Lying
John Steinbeck (2002). “East of Eden”, p.232, Penguin

Sometimes, a lie is told in kindness. I don't believe it ever works kindly. The quick pain of truth can pass away, but the slow, eating agony of a lie is never lost.

John Steinbeck
Pain, Kindness, Lying
John Steinbeck (2002). “East of Eden”, p.376, Penguin

If there is a magic in story writing, and I am convinced that there is, no one has ever been able to reduce it to a recipe that can be passed from one person to another. The formula seems to lie solely in the aching urge of the writer to convey something he feels important to the reader. If the writer has that urge, he may sometimes but by no means always find the way to do it.

John Steinbeck
Lying, Writing, Mean

“Do you take pride in your hurt?” Samuel asked. “Does it make you seem large and tragic?” “I don't know.” “Well, think about it. Maybe you're playing a part on a great stage with only yourself as audience.”

John Steinbeck
Hurt, Lying, Pride
"East of Eden".

The lies we tell about our duty and our purposes, the meaningless words of science and philosophy, are walls that topple before a bewildered little ‘why’.

John Steinbeck
Wall, Philosophy, Lying
John Steinbeck (1995). “The Log from the Sea of Cortez”, p.174, Penguin

I think the difference between a lie and a story is that a story utilizes the trappings and appearance of truth for the interest of the listener as well as of the teller. A story has in it neither gain nor loss. But a lie is a device for profit or escape. I suppose if that definition is strictly held to, then a writer of stories is a liar - if he is financially fortunate.

John Steinbeck
Liars, Lying, Loss
John Steinbeck (2002). “East of Eden”, p.67, Penguin

No one knows how greatness comes to a man. It may lie in his blackness, sleeping, or it may lance into him like those driven fiery particles from outer space. These things, however, are known about greatness: need gives it life and puts it in action; it never comes without pain; it leaves a man changed, chastened, and exalted at the same time--he can never return to simplicity.

John Steinbeck
Pain, Lying, Sleep
John Steinbeck (2008). “Sweet Thursday”, p.316, Penguin

There are people who will say that this whole account is a lie, but a thing isn't necessarily a lie even if it didn't necessarily happen.

John Steinbeck
Lying, People, Accounts
John Steinbeck (2008). “Sweet Thursday”, p.21, Penguin

Fella in business got to lie an' cheat, but he calls it somepin else. That's what's important. You go steal that tire an' you're a thief, but he tried to steal your four dollars for a busted tire. They call that sound business.

John Steinbeck
Business, Lying, Important
John Steinbeck (2016). “The Grapes of Wrath”, p.95, Hamilton Books

Lennie said quietly, "It ain't no lie. We're gonna do it. Gonna get a little place an' live on the fatta the lan'.

John Steinbeck
Lying, Littles, Lennie
John Steinbeck (1994). “Of Mice and Men”, p.55, Penguin

You are not a man anymore. You are a soldier. Your comfort is of no importance and your life isn't of much importance. Most of your orders will be unpleasant, but that's not your business. They should've trained you for this, and not for flower-strewn streets. They should have built your soul with truth, not led along with lies.

John Steinbeck
Lying, Military, Flower

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