Quote by Lionel Shriver
But keeping secrets is a discipline. I never use to think of myself as a good liar, but after having had some practice I had adopted the prevaricator's credo that one doesn't so much fabricate a lie as marry it. A successful lie cannot be brought into this world and capriciously abandoned; like any committed relationship it must be maintained, and with far more devotion than the truth, which carries on being carelessly true without any help. By contrast, my lie needed me as much as I needed it, and so demanded the constancy of wedlock: Till death do us part.
Summary
In this quote, the speaker reflects on the art of keeping secrets and lying effectively. They acknowledge that keeping a secret requires discipline and commitment, equating it to maintaining a committed relationship. They describe how lies, once created, need to be continuously protected and nurtured, unlike the truth which survives effortlessly on its own. The speaker's analogy suggests that successful lies necessitate the same level of devotion as a marriage, lasting until death. This quote highlights the intricate and demanding nature of concealing the truth.
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