About this quote

Speaking a clear truth can break the hold of accepted falsehoods. It will probably cost you comfort or approval, so expect pushback. Ask yourself who benefits when everyone stays silent. Start with one verifiable fact, state it plainly, and note the reactions so you can plan your next move.

When to use it

• Work — During an audit, when my manager pushed me to change the numbers, I remembered the line and refused to falsify the report.
• Study — A classmate asked me to sign off on a copied assignment; I thought of this and said no before I let them hand it in.
• Family — At a relatives' meeting where everyone kept repeating a false version of the estate, I pointed to the bank statements and told them what actually happened.
• Money — As a junior adviser, when a colleague suggested hiding fees from a client, I used the idea to steady myself and insisted we be transparent.