Book Two: A Criticism of the Highest Values That Have Prevailed Hitherto
V: Concerning the Slander of the so-called Evil Qualities§378 “Thou shalt not tell a falsehood”: people insist upon truthfulness. But the acknowledgment of facts (the refusal to allow oneself to be lied to) has always been greatest with liars: they actually recognised the reality of this popular “truthfulness”. There is too much or too little being said continually: to insist upon people’s exposing themselves with every word they say, is a piece of naiveté.
People say what they think, they are “truthful”; but only under certain circumstances: that is to say, provided they be understood (inter pares) and understood with good will into the bargain (once more inter pares). One conceals one’s self in the presence of the unfamiliar: and he who would attain to something, says what he would want to have people think about him, but not what he thinks. (“The powerful always lie”).