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The fact about himself that the liar hides is that he is attempting to lead us away from a correct apprehension of reality; we are not to know that he wants us to believe something he supposes to be false. the fact about himself that the bullshitter hides, on the other hand, is that the truth-values of his statements are of no central interest to him . . . he does not care whether the things he says describe reality correctly. he just picks them out, or makes them up, to suit his purpose.
-Harry Frankfurt
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The Fact About Himself That The Liar

Harry Frankfurt
The fact about himself that the liar hides is that he is attempting to lead us away from a correct apprehension of reality; we are not to know that he wants us to believe something he supposes to be false. the fact about himself that the bullshitter hides, on the other hand, is that the truth-values of his statements are of no central interest to him . . . he does not care whether the things he says describe reality correctly. he just picks them out, or makes them up, to suit his purpose.
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Honesty Liars Believe

More From Harry Frankfurt

Someone who lies and someone who tells the truth are playing on opposite sides, so to speak, in the same game. each responds to the facts as he understands them, although the response of the one is guided by the authority of the truth, while the response of the other defies that authority and refuses to meet its demands. the bullshitter ignores these demands altogether. he does not reject the authority of the truth, as the liar does, and oppose himself to it. he pays no attention to it at all. by virtue of this, bullshit is a greater enemy of the truth than lies are.
Liars Lying Opposites
The bullshitter is neither on the side of the true or the side of the false. his eye is not on the facts at all. he does not reject the authority of the truth, as the liar does, and oppose himself to it. he pays no attention to it at all. by virtue of this, bullshit is a greater enemy of the truth than lies are.
Truth Lying Philosophy
The only ethical principle which has made science possible is that the truth shall be told all the time. if we do not penalize false statements made in error, we open up the way for false statements by intention. and a false statement of fact, made deliberately, is the most serious crime a scientist can commit.
Integrity Errors Ethical Principles
Either [jesus] was what he said he was or he was the world's greatest liar. it is impossible for me to believe a liar or charlatan could have had the effect on mankind that he has had for 2000 years. we could ask, would even the greatest of liars carry his lie through the crucifixion, when a simple confession would have saved him? ... did he allow us the choice... to believe in his teaching but reject his statements about his own identity?
Jesus Liars Lying
There is a fundamental moral difference between a man who sees his self-interest in production and a man who sees it in robbery. the evil of a robber does not lie in the fact that he pursues his own interests, but in what he regards as to his own interest; not in the fact that he pursues his values, but in what he chose to value; not in the fact that he wants to live, but in the fact that he wants to live on a subhuman level.
Lying Men Self
Make statements also applies to us women: speak in statements instead of apologetic questions. no one wants to go to a doctor who says, “i’m going to be your surgeon? i’m here to talk to you about your procedure? i was first in my class at johns hopkins, so?” make statements, with your actions and your voice.
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