Lydia Davis Quotes

Now that he has disavowed as outright lies many of the stories he told himself, it's hard to know what to make of those who still insist that David Brock had it right the first time.

Pretty woman, I don't believe you, you're not the truth. No one could look as good as you, mercy.

I exaggerate when I'm angry, but I've never gone around telling people things that aren't true about me.

I knew Ginny was lying about that tattoo.

A lover's a liar, To himself he lies, The truthful are loveless, Like oysters their eyes!

All who love have lied.

A lie is more comfortable than doubt, more useful than love, more lasting than truth.

He doubted her. You must never doubt the one you love. But they might not be telling the truth. Never mind that. You tell them the truth. What do you mean? You can't be another person's honesty, child, but you can be your own. So what should I say? When? When I love someone? You should say it.

Love and honesty don't mix.

Do you love me? What? Do you? I love you. I don't know if I trust you. Maybe you shouldn't do either. Maybe I'm the one who should decide!

Love is not really blind- the bandage is never so tight but that it can peep.

A friend once said, and I found to be true,That everyday people, they lie to God too,So what makes you think, that they won't lie to you.

Just believe everything I tell you, and it will all be very, very simple.' Ah, well, I'm not sure I believe that.

Really, according to the shrinks, I am angry at everyone ever. Especially them. I am all anger and resentment all the time. Not one of them has ever suggested that maybe I lie because the world is better the way I tell it.

His mind reeled. Now, empowered to ask questions of utmost rudeness-and promised answers-he could, conceivably (though it was almost unimaginable), ask someone, some adult, his father perhaps: "Do you lie?" But he would have no way of knowing if the answer he received was true.

It is painful to doubt the sincerity of those we love.

The things one feels absolutely certain about are never true. That is the fatality of faith, and the lesson of romance.

The girl was grateful to the young man for every bit of flattery; she wanted to linger for a moment in its warmth and so she said, 'You're very good at lying.' 'Do I look like a liar?' 'You look like you enjoy lying to women,' said the girl, and into her words there crept unawares a touch of the old anxiety, because she really did believe that her young man enjoyed lying to women.

Be careful what you're doing, because no one is ever who you want them to be.

None of us suffers as much as we should, or loves as much as we say. Love is the first lie; wisdom the last.

Strange, i thought i knew you well, thought i had read the sky, thought i had seen a change in your eyes.

From my experience of life I believe my personal motto should be: 'Beware of any man bringing flowers.

Never trust a man when he's in love, drunk, or running for office.