Truth vs. Lie: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Key Differences
Truth refers to statements or ideas that align with reality or fact. Lies are statements that are intentionally false, made to deceive or mislead others.
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Nov 13, 2023
Speaking the truth is generally associated with honesty and integrity. Telling a lie often involves deceit, and is considered unethical or immoral in many societies.
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The truth, even when harsh, fosters trust and credibility. Lies, even small ones, can lead to mistrust, damage relationships, and have negative consequences.
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Truth is often absolute, but can be subject to interpretation based on perspective. Lies are inherently false, but can be perceived as truth if convincingly presented.
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Truth is essential for clear and effective communication. Lies, though sometimes used to avoid hurt or conflict, can complicate and undermine communication.
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Comparison Chart
Moral Implication
Associated with honesty and integrity
Considered deceitful and unethical
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Impact on Relationships
Builds trust and credibility
Leads to mistrust and damaged relations
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Subjectivity
Can be interpreted differently
Inherently false, regardless of perception
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Role in Communication
Essential for clarity and trust
Complicates and undermines communication
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Truth and Lie Definitions
Truth
Conformity to fact or reality.
The truth about the incident was finally revealed.
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Lie
A false statement made with deliberate intent to deceive.
His alibi was a lie.
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Truth
A proposition that is accepted as true.
In philosophy, the search for truth is fundamental.
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Lie
A made-up or fabricated statement.
She created an elaborate lie to avoid responsibility.
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Lie
To be or place oneself at rest in a flat, horizontal, or recumbent position; recline
He lay under a tree to sleep.
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Lie
To be placed on or supported by a surface that is usually horizontal
Dirty dishes lay on the table. See Usage Note at lay1.
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Lie
To be or remain in a specified condition
The dust has lain undisturbed for years. He lay sick in bed.
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Truth
Such statements considered as a group
Researchers in pursuit of truth.
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Lie
To consist or have as a basis. Often used with in
The strength of his performance lies in his training.
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Truth
Theology & Philosophy That which is considered to be the ultimate ground of reality.
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Truth
True facts, genuine depiction or statements of reality.
The truth is that our leaders knew a lot more than they were letting on.
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Truth
Conformity to fact or reality; correctness, accuracy.
There was some truth in his statement that he had no other choice.
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Truth
The state or quality of being true to someone or something.
Truth to one's own feelings is all-important in life.
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Truth
Conformity to rule; exactness; close correspondence with an example, mood, model, etc.
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Truth
That which is real, in a deeper sense; spiritual or ‘genuine’ reality.
The truth is what is.
Alcoholism and redemption led me finally to truth.
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Truth
(countable) Something acknowledged to be true; a true statement or axiom.
Hunger and jealousy are just eternal truths of human existence.
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Truth
(games) In the game truth or dare, the choice to truthfully answer a question put forth.
When asked truth or dare, he picked truth.
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Lie
Something meant to deceive or mistakenly accepted as true
Learned his parents had been swindlers and felt his whole childhood had been a lie.
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Lie
(intransitive) To rest in a horizontal position on a surface.
The book lies on the table;
The snow lies on the roof;
He lies in his coffin
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Lie
To abide; to remain for a longer or shorter time; to be in a certain state or condition.
To lie waste; to lie fallow; to lie open; to lie hidden; to lie grieving; to lie under one's displeasure; to lie at the mercy of the waves
The paper does not lie smooth on the wall.
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Truth
The quality or being true; as: - (a) Conformity to fact or reality; exact accordance with that which is, or has been; or shall be.
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Lie
Used with in: to be or exist; to belong or pertain; to have an abiding place; to consist.
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Truth
Conformity to rule; exactness; close correspondence with an example, mood, object of imitation, or the like.
Plows, to go true, depend much on the truth of the ironwork.
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Truth
That which is true or certain concerning any matter or subject, or generally on all subjects; real state of things; fact; verity; reality.
Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbor.
I long to know the truth here of at large.
The truth depends on, or is only arrived at by, a legitimate deduction from all the facts which are truly material.
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Lie
Used with on/upon: to be incumbent (on); to be the responsibility of a person.
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Truth
Fidelity; constancy; steadfastness; faithfulness.
Alas! they had been friends in youth,But whispering tongues can poison truth.
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Truth
A true thing; a verified fact; a true statement or proposition; an established principle, fixed law, or the like; as, the great truths of morals.
Even so our boasting . . . is found a truth.
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Truth
The practice of speaking what is true; freedom from falsehood; veracity.
If this will not suffice, it must appearThat malice bears down truth.
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Truth
Righteousness; true religion.
Grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
Sanctify them through thy truth; thy word is truth.
He that doeth truth cometh to the light.
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Lie
(intransitive) To give false information intentionally with intent to deceive.
When Pinocchio lies, his nose grows.
If you are found to have lied in court, you could face a penalty.
While a principle-based approach might claim that lying is always morally wrong, the casuist would argue that, depending upon the details of the case, lying might or might not be illegal or unethical. The casuist might conclude that a person is wrong to lie in legal testimony under oath, but might argue that lying actually is the best moral choice if the lie saves a life.
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Truth
To assert as true; to declare.
Had they [the ancients] dreamt this, they would have truthed it heaven.
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Lie
(intransitive) To convey a false image or impression.
Photographs often lie.
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Truth
A fact that has been verified;
At last he knew the truth
The truth is the he didn't want to do it
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Lie
To be mistaken or unintentionally spread false information.
Sorry, I haven't seen your keys anywhere...wait, I lied! They're right there on the coffee table.
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Truth
Conformity to reality or actuality;
They debated the truth of the proposition
The situation brought home to us the blunt truth of the military threat
He was famous for the truth of his portraits
He turned to religion in his search for eternal verities
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Lie
(golf) The terrain and conditions surrounding the ball before it is struck.
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Truth
A true statement;
He told the truth
He thought of answering with the truth but he knew they wouldn't believe it
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Lie
(disc golf) The terrain and conditions surrounding the disc before it is thrown.
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Truth
The quality of nearness to the truth or the true value;
He was beginning to doubt the accuracy of his compass
The lawyer questioned the truth of my account
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Truth
United States abolitionist and feminist who was freed from slavery and became a leading advocate of the abolition of slavery and for the rights of women (1797-1883)
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Truth
State of being truthful or honest.
His commitment to truth was unwavering.
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Truth
Authentic or genuine state.
The truth of her emotions was evident in her eyes.
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Lie
An intentionally false statement; an intentional falsehood.
I knew he was telling a lie by his facial expression.
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Truth
The quality of being true, accurate.
The truth of his testimony was confirmed by evidence.
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Lie
A falsehood uttered or acted for the purpose of deception; an intentional violation of truth; an untruth spoken with the intention to deceive.
The proper notion of a lie is an endeavoring to deceive another by signifying that to him as true, which we ourselves think not to be so.
It is willful deceit that makes a lie. A man may act a lie, as by pointing his finger in a wrong direction when a traveler inquires of him his road.
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Lie
Anything which misleads or disappoints.
Wishing this lie of life was o'er.
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Lie
The position or way in which anything lies; the lay, as of land or country.
He surveyed with his own eyes . . . the lie of the country on the side towards Thrace.
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Lie
To utter falsehood with an intention to deceive; to say or do that which is intended to deceive another, when he a right to know the truth, or when morality requires a just representation.
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Lie
To rest extended on the ground, a bed, or any support; to be, or to put one's self, in an horizontal position, or nearly so; to be prostate; to be stretched out; - often with down, when predicated of living creatures; as, the book lies on the table; the snow lies on the roof; he lies in his coffin.
The watchful traveler . . . Lay down again, and closed his weary eyes.
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Lie
To be situated; to occupy a certain place; as, Ireland lies west of England; the meadows lie along the river; the ship lay in port.
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Lie
To abide; to remain for a longer or shorter time; to be in a certain state or condition; as, to lie waste; to lie fallow; to lie open; to lie hid; to lie grieving; to lie under one's displeasure; to lie at the mercy of the waves; the paper does not lie smooth on the wall.
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Lie
To be or exist; to belong or pertain; to have an abiding place; to consist; - with in.
Envy lies between beings equal in nature, though unequal in circumstances.
He that thinks that diversion may not lie in hard labor, forgets the early rising and hard riding of huntsmen.
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Lie
To lodge; to sleep.
Whiles I was now trifling at home, I saw London, . . . where I lay one night only.
Mr. Quinion lay at our house that night.
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Lie
To be still or quiet, like one lying down to rest.
The wind is loud and will not lie.
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Lie
To be sustainable; to be capable of being maintained.
What he gets more of her than sharp words, let it lie on my head.
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Lie
Norwegian diplomat who was the first Secretary General of the United Nations (1896-1968)
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Lie
Be lying, be prostrate; be in a horizontal position;
The sick man lay in bed all day
The books are lying on the shelf
We had to stand for the entire performance!
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Lie
Originate (in);
The problems dwell in the social injustices in this country
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Lie
Tell an untruth; pretend with intent to deceive;
Don't lie to your parents
She lied when she told me she was only 29
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Lie
Have a place in relation to something else;
The fate of Bosnia lies in the hands of the West
The responsibility rests with the Allies
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Lie
An act of deceiving or misleading.
The lie unraveled under close scrutiny.
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Lie
To lead someone astray with untruths.
He used a lie to mislead the investigators.
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
Can the truth be subjective?
Yes, truth can be interpreted differently based on perspective.
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What constitutes a lie?
A lie is a false statement made intentionally to deceive.
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How do lies affect relationships?
Lies can damage trust and credibility in relationships.
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Why do people lie?
People lie for various reasons, including to deceive, avoid conflict, or protect someone's feelings.
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What is a lie of omission?
A lie of omission involves leaving out important information.
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Is it always better to tell the truth?
Generally, yes, but some situations may call for discretion.
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Can lies ever be justified?
This is a moral question; some argue that small lies can be justified in certain situations.
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How can one distinguish between truth and lie?
Through evidence, logic, and sometimes intuition or experience.
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Are white lies harmful?
Even white lies can have unintended consequences, though they are often seen as harmless.
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How do cultures view truth and lies?
Cultural perspectives on truth and lies vary, but most value truthfulness.
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What is the role of truth in communication?
Truth is crucial for clear, effective, and trustworthy communication.
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Can truth be harmful?
Sometimes, truth can be hurtful, but it is generally considered better than deceit.
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Do children understand the difference between truth and lies?
Children learn this difference as they grow, though they might not fully understand it initially.
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Is it possible to always know the truth?
It's not always possible, as some truths may be elusive or subjective.
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How does society deal with lies?
Societies have various mechanisms, like laws and social norms, to discourage and deal with lies.
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What is the importance of truth in law?
In law, truth is vital for justice and fairness.
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Can a lie become a truth over time?
A lie doesn't become truth, but people's belief in it can change.
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Is honesty always the best policy?
Many believe so, as honesty builds trust and integrity.
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How do lies impact the liar?
Telling lies can lead to stress, guilt, and a damaged reputation.
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Nov 13, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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