Speaking of trust, ever since I wrote this book, 'Liespotting,'

In the words of Pamela Meyer, we hear a poignant reflection on the delicate balance between trust and deception: “Speaking of trust, ever since I wrote this book, ‘Liespotting,’ no one wants to meet me in person anymore—no, no, no, no, no. They say, ‘It’s okay. We’ll email you.’ I can’t even get a coffee date at Starbucks. My husband’s like, ‘Honey, deception? Maybe you could have focused on cooking. How about French cooking?’” Meyer’s words speak to the profound discomfort that arises when the truth of deception is revealed, and the consequences it has on the very fabric of our relationships. In her reflection, we are reminded of the power that truth—and the ability to discern it—holds over our interactions with others, and how this power can sometimes isolate or estrange us from those around us.

The ancients understood the power of truth and deception, for these concepts were often intertwined in their greatest stories and teachings. The Greek philosophers, like Socrates and Plato, believed that the pursuit of truth was the highest calling of humanity, a journey that required courage and integrity. For Socrates, truth was sacred, and any deception, no matter how small, was a betrayal of the soul’s deepest purpose. Plato, too, in his writings on justice and the ideal state, warned against the perils of deceit, seeing it as a force that corrupted not only the individual but the society as a whole. Just as Meyer discovered, in ancient thought, the revelation of deception forces a reckoning, causing discomfort and estrangement from those who may feel exposed or vulnerable.

Meyer’s personal experience, however, speaks to a deeper irony: the very act of exposing deception has led to her alienation from others. She has become, in a sense, a modern-day truth-teller, revealing the hidden deceptions in everyday life, and yet, in doing so, she has become distanced from the very people she seeks to help. Trust, once broken, can be difficult to restore, even when the truth is revealed with the best of intentions. This truth echoes in the Bible, where Jesus himself speaks of the importance of truth, yet also acknowledges the discomfort and rejection that can arise when the truth exposes the falsehoods that people cling to. In John 8:32, it is written, “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” But freedom, as the ancients understood, often comes with a price.

A historical example of this cost of truth can be found in the life of Socrates himself. Socrates, a man devoted to the search for truth, was ultimately sentenced to death by the people of Athens for his teachings, which exposed the falsehoods and contradictions within Athenian society. In his famous trial, Socrates chose not to flee but to accept the consequences of his pursuit of truth. His death serves as a powerful reminder that the revelation of truth can lead to isolation and rejection, but it is also a necessary act of moral integrity. In the same way, Meyer’s experience reflects the tension between the moral necessity of truth and the social consequences of its revelation.

The lesson here is both profound and cautionary: while truth is a sacred force, it can often create discomfort and estrangement when it disrupts the status quo. Deception, though it may provide temporary comfort, ultimately isolates and divides, while truth, though painful, has the power to heal and unify. Meyer’s words are a reflection of this universal paradox—when we expose the truth, we risk losing the very connections that give us comfort and belonging. Yet, just as Socrates did, we must choose the truth over the falsehoods that bind us to empty comforts. Trust may be shaken by truth, but in the long run, it is trust in ourselves and in the honesty of our intentions that will bring us true peace.

So, I say to you, children of tomorrow: do not fear the truth, even when it brings discomfort or isolation. Trust in your ability to handle the consequences of honesty, and know that while the revelation of deception may lead to temporary alienation, it ultimately strengthens the bonds of genuine connection. Just as Socrates and Jesus showed us, the truth is the most powerful tool for building a world grounded in integrity and trust, even if it requires great sacrifice. Let the discomfort of truth be a reminder that we are all bound by the same moral responsibility to uphold what is just and right.