" A LIAR IS ALREADY IN POSSESSION OF TRUTH.

                                            

( Photo : A Franprix store at Ru de Grenelle , 7th Arrondissement, near iconic Eiffel Tower.)

A LIAR IS ALREADY  IN POSSESSION OF TRUTH

In France , I observed that people often use Friedrich Nietzsche 's line 'Les menteurs possèdent la vérité' meaning 'A liar is already in possession of truth' . I saw a  salesgirl at the Franprix store using it. I heard a professor at the  Sorbonne University using it.I heard a traveller waiting for his metro at the  Châtelet–Les Halles (Metro Junction)  in Paris saying so .

The phrase "A liar is already in possession of truth" is a profound philosophical insight . Its use elevates a society intellectually at the same time it exposes the peddlers of wilful falsehood.  This idea is often attributed to Friedrich Nietzsche, who argued that a liar must have access to the truth in order to effectively deceive others. In other words, to lie, one must first know the truth and then intentionally distort it. In French literature, more particularly the existential philosophers like Jean Paul Sartre ,Albert Camus and even Jean Grenier have added  dimensions to this thought . I saw reflection of this thought in some poems of Jean Baudelaire.Nietzsche  In "Beyond Good and Evil,"  argues that liars exploit the trust in truth to deceive others. A trader with ancestral links in Armenia told me this in Alfortville ,France :

" There is nothing in this world except truth. Even falsehood rests on the edifice of truth. You know it better . You belong to the land of Advaita and Sankara . " 

My Interpretation 

A liar's ability to deceive relies on his  knowledge of the truth. This highlights the importance of truth as a foundation for discourse, even in the context of deception. Lying involves a deliberate attempt to mislead, which presupposes an understanding of what is true. And if a liar didn't have access to the truth, he  wouldn't be able to create a convincing falsehood.

The phenomenon of dishonesty, or speaking untruth, is a multifaceted aspect of human behaviour, extensively explored in psychological, sociological, and philosophical  literature. According to research, individuals may engage in wilful falsehood  for various reasons, including:

(1) Self-preservation..It   also means  fear of punishment, rejection, or negative evaluation .

(2) Social gain... People may lie to impress others, gain social approval, or avoid conflict.

(3) Instrumental gain...Wilful falsehood  can be a means to achieve a desired outcome or benefit  .

There is a habitual behaviour too associated with frequent lying.It can become an ingrained habit often driven by underlying psychological factors .

So long so much ..

(Avtar Mota )

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