A lie is an assertion that is believed to be false, typically used with the intention of deceiving or misleading someone. The practice of communicating lies is called lying. A person who communicates a lie may be termed a liar. Lies can be interpreted as deliberately false statements or misleading statements, though not all statements that are literally false are considered lies – metaphors, hyperboles, and other figurative rhetoric are not intended to mislead, while lies are explicitly meant for literal interpretation by their audience. Lies may also serve a variety of instrumental, interpersonal, or psychological functions for the individuals who use them.

From Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

A lie is an assertion that is believed to be false, typically used with the intention of deceiving or misleading someone. The practice of communicating lies is called lying. A person who communicates a lie may be termed a liar. Lies can be interpreted as deliberately false statements or misleading statements, though not all statements that are literally false are considered lies – metaphors, hyperboles, and other figurative rhetoric are not intended to mislead, while lies are explicitly meant for literal interpretation by their audience. Lies may also serve a variety of instrumental, interpersonal, or psychological functions for the individuals who use them.

Notable quotes

“In the midst of the disguises and artifices that reign among men, it is only attention and vigilance that can save us from surprises.”
— Jacques-Bénigne Bossuet, Politics Drawn from the very words of Holy Scripture edited by Patrick Riley (1990).
“What I have termed micro expressions, very fast facial movements lasting less than one-fifth of a second, are one important source of leakage, revealing an emotion a person is trying to conceal. A false expression can be betrayed in a number of ways: it is usually very slightly asymmetrical, and it lacks smoothness in the way it flows on and off the face.”
— Paul Ekman, Emotions Revealed, Times Books, (2003), ch. 1, p. 15.
“A lie is no less a lie because it is a thousand years old.”
— Hilary Mantel, Wolf Hall (2009), Part 6, Section 1, , p. 525
“Stop! I am not a real Sharkslayer! I lied.”
— Oscar the Sharkslayer (Will Smith), Shark Tale (2004)
“Mendaci homini ne verum quidem dicenti credere solemus.”
— A liar is not believed even though he tell the truth.
“An animal may be cunning and ferocious enough, but it takes a real man to tell a lie.”
— H.G. Wells, The Island of Doctor Moreau (1896)