In "The Unbearable Lightness of Being," Milan Kundera highlights a profound irony regarding the relationship between morality and authority. The ingrained belief in telling the truth, instilled by society and family, leads individuals to feel shame when they lie, even under the pressure of a police interrogation. This societal conditioning makes it challenging for people to navigate situations where honesty might not be in their best interest, creating a conflict between personal ethics and the demands of authority.

Kundera further illustrates that instead of confronting authority with deceit, individuals often resort to anger and insults. This reaction, he suggests, is a reflection of the discomfort in betraying their principles. The struggle between maintaining one's moral integrity and the pressure to conform to authority presents a complex human dilemma, showcasing the profound impact that upbringing and social norms have on personal behavior in high-stress scenarios.