When you meet with someone and you try to assess whether they're

The words of John Kennedy—“When you meet with someone and you try to assess whether they're telling you the truth or not, there's several things you can do. You judge demeanor and credibility. You look at corroboration.”—are a guide for discernment, spoken with the simplicity of a craftsman but carrying the depth of a sage. In this reflection, Kennedy reminds us that the pursuit of truth is not a passive act. It requires vigilance, discernment, and wisdom. For men and women do not always wear their honesty plainly, and words alone are often too fragile to bear the full weight of trust. One must read the demeanor, weigh the credibility, and seek corroboration before truth can be securely held.

The origin of these words lies in the age-old challenge of human judgment. From kings in their courts to judges in their chambers, from commanders in war councils to ordinary people in their daily dealings, the question has always burned: how do we know if one speaks the truth? Kennedy, a man seasoned in the dealings of politics and governance, understood that to lead, one must distinguish between honest counsel and deceitful whisper. Thus his advice is practical wisdom for rulers and citizens alike: truth is revealed not by a single sign, but by a harmony of signs, tested against reality.

The ancients knew this art. In the stories of Solomon, a dispute came before the king: two women each claimed the same child. Words alone could not determine truth, for each voice was earnest, each face determined. Solomon, in his wisdom, tested not only their words but their demeanor—their reactions when the child’s fate was placed in jeopardy. The true mother revealed herself not by speech alone, but by the visible truth of compassion. Here we see Kennedy’s counsel reflected across the centuries: to judge demeanor is to perceive the heart behind the tongue.

History too bears witness. In the Nuremberg Trials after World War II, the world’s judges were confronted with men who cloaked their guilt in rationalizations and half-truths. To uncover reality, prosecutors did not rely on speech alone. They tested credibility, comparing the accused’s words against records, testimonies, and undeniable evidence. Corroboration revealed what denial sought to conceal. The trials showed that truth does not stand alone in air—it is strengthened by witnesses, by documents, by reality itself. Without corroboration, even the most eloquent word may be a lie.

Yet Kennedy’s words also remind us of the humility required in judgment. No man can see into the soul of another with perfect clarity. Appearances can deceive, and even demeanor may mislead. The wise, therefore, do not rush to judgment, but test carefully, weigh slowly, and seek confirmation. The truth is not always swift, but it is steady. Those who chase it with patience and discipline are less likely to be deceived, and more likely to stand upon firm ground when the winds of falsehood blow.

The lesson for us is clear: whether in politics, in business, in friendship, or in family, do not accept words blindly. Watch how they are spoken. Consider who speaks them and whether their life lends weight to their claim. Then seek corroboration—evidence, testimony, consistency. In this way, you honor the truth not as a matter of chance, but as a discipline of wisdom. For trust, once given, is sacred, and it must be guarded by discernment.

Therefore, take these actions: sharpen your mind to read both words and deeds. Do not let charm alone sway you, but look for substance beneath appearance. When in doubt, seek multiple witnesses before granting your full trust. And above all, remember that to honor truth is to guard justice, to protect peace, and to strengthen every bond of human life. As John Kennedy has taught, truth must be tested—by demeanor, by credibility, by corroboration—for only then does it stand firm, radiant, and unshaken.