In "The Castle in the Forest," Norman Mailer explores the nature of truth and deception, suggesting that both honesty and prevarication can become habitual behaviors. He implies that just as one can develop a reliable pattern of truthful behavior, the same can occur with deceit, leading to a predictable cycle of falsehoods. This suggests that the boundaries between honesty and lies can blur, forming a complex relationship.

Mailer’s quote emphasizes how both truth and untruth can be instinctive, indicating that individuals may unconsciously gravitate toward one or the other. Consequently, just as people might reflexively tell the truth out of habit, they may also find themselves lying without much thought. This interconnectedness highlights the challenges in understanding moral choices and the instinctive nature of human behavior.