When lying, be emphatic and indignant, thus behaving like your children.
This quote sheds light on the intuitive and sometimes subconscious tactics that individuals employ when they feel cornered or caught in a lie. The advice to be emphatic and indignant suggests that a falsehood can often be more convincingly maintained if approached with strong emotion and conviction. Interestingly, the comparison to children is quite telling; children often react with exaggerated emotions and defensive posture when accused or confronted, not necessarily because they are guilty, but because their response is instinctive and geared toward deflecting suspicion or punishment. This behavior, though seemingly immature, points to a natural survival mechanism where emotional displays serve as a shield. The quote encourages reflection on how emotional authenticity, whether genuine or feigned, can influence perceptions and responses. It also hints at the importance of understanding human behavior and emotional expression in social interactions, especially in contexts involving truth and deception. The advice could be counterproductive, however, as it might encourage manipulative tactics, yet it underscores the importance of emotional presence in communication. In essence, the quote invites us to observe how individuals use emotional intensity as a tool—sometimes knowingly, sometimes unknowingly—during moments of conflict, intrigue, or discomfort. Recognizing these patterns can enhance our ability to interpret authenticity and deception in everyday exchanges, be it in personal relations, politics, or media consumption.