Quote by Halldór Laxness
Don't forget that few people are likely to tell more than a small part of the truth: no one tells much of the truth, let alone the whole truth. Spoken words are facts in themselves, whether true or false. When people talk they reveal themselves, whether they're lying or telling the truth.
Summary
This quote highlights the limited reliability of verbal communication in terms of truthfulness. It suggests that most people only disclose a fraction of the truth, and even that portion might not be entirely accurate. The quote emphasizes the idea that spoken words, whether truthful or false, serve as a reflection of the individual speaking them. Consequently, it cautions against taking everything people say at face value and urges a need for careful consideration and discernment when interpreting spoken information.