Can Not Tell a Lie: Difference between revisions

{{trope}}

{{quote|'''''"[[Large Ham|I CAN'T LIE!]]"'''''

 

When a character or group of characters is by nature unable to tell any untruths, whether they be magical beings who are [[Tongue-Tied|bound]] by [[Magically-Binding Contract|that magic]], speakers of a [[Language of Truth|language that makes it impossible]], or simply unable to grasp the concept of lying, that character '''Can Not Tell a Lie'''.

* {{spoiler|Achakura}} in ''[[Kyon: Big Damn Hero]]'', as Nagato programmed her. She even [[Lampshade Hanging|complains she can't lie about her weakness]].

 

* The Thermians from ''[[Galaxy Quest]]'' cannot grasp the concept of lying (or fiction) -- at least at first. [[Big Bad]] Sarris painfully forces them to learn about deception (and storytelling).

* The main character of ''[[Liar Liar]]'' was made to be unable to tell a lie for one day, to the point where he couldn't speak one, write one, or even ask a question that he knew would be responded to with a lie. Furthermore, he couldn't even conceal the truth by not speaking or telling half-truths, which led to most of the film's humor, especially as the "no lying" thing interfered substantially with his occupation as an [[Amoral Attorney]].

* The Aes Sedai from ''[[The Wheel of Time]]''. They literally ''cannot'' speak a lie, even when that lie would save millions of lives. This was a magically-created prohibition to make people trust them. Unfortunately, because most Aes Sedai have found ways around the oath by not ''directly'' speaking a lie, but instead using careful phrasing to sneak around the Oath, they have such a reputation for bending the truth that people don't believe anything they say on the basis that they must be [[Literal Genie]]ing.

* In James Morrow's ''[[City of Truth]]'', the citizens of Veritas undergo painful conditioning that forces them to always tell the truth, often bluntly; cars have names like the Plymouth Adequate, and the plot is set into motion by something that happens to the protagonist's son at Camp Ditch-the-Kids.

* The protagonist of [[William Sleator]]'s ''Others See Us'' cannot lie, at least until he gains telepathy and realizes everyone around him is lying <s>even</s> ''especially'' to themselves.

* The Houyhnhnms in ''[[Gulliver's Travels]]'' have no concept of lying, being enlightened beings. This paves the way for yet more satire, of course.

** It's said that Vulcans cannot lie, which fans used to attack the morally ambiguous Vulcans in ''[[Star Trek: Enterprise]]''. Of course this ignores the fact that the first time we hear this said is in the [[Star Trek: The Original Series|original series]] episode "The Enterprise Incident", where Spock lies his ears off to the Romulan commander. It's put more realistically in the ''ENT'' episode "Shadows of P'Jem" that Vulcans have "a reputation for honesty".

** It's more that Spock ''implies'' his ears off, really...

** In her awesome expanded universe novel ''The Romulan Way'', [[Diane Duane]] suggests that a more accurate translation of Vulcan "logic" is "reality-truth" which, like a lot of the things Duane wrote, makes a bit more sense than the official line. Vulcans seem to have a very high estimation of truth and a distaste for untruth, but are willing to play fast and loose with the definition of a lie by proceeding according to the letter of what was said but not the spirit. And of course, they'll lie their butts off if they think it's really necessary.

** According to Spock, "Vulcans never bluff."

'''Roseanne:''' No, you're not!

'''Jackie:''' You see? }}

* On ''[[Red Dwarf]]'', Kryten the android starts out like this, but with a lot of coaching and practice, he gets better. Or worse. Whatever.

* Maura Isles from ''[[Rizzoli and Isles]]'' physically cannot tell a lie.

* Gary Bell on ''[[Alphas]]'', as a result of having [[High Functioning Autism]] and [[No Social Skills|poor social skills]]. He's been working on it, though.

{{quote|'''Gary:''' I do lie, I've been practicing. It's a social skill. Like the other day when I said I was gonna have a pudding pop, I was lying 'cause I don't like pudding pops. ... That was a lie, I do like pudding pops. I just knew we didn't have any.}}

 

== Music ==

{{quote|And I said, "Yes, sir, Officer Obie, I Can Not Tell a Lie... [[Blatant Lies|I put that envelope under that garbage]]."}}

 

* Cassandra was cursed to tell true prophecies which [[Cassandra Truth|nobody would ever believe]], and was driven mad by it.

* Depending on the version, [[The Fair Folk]] can't lie. Some versions also say that the best way to earn their respect is to accept this policy yourself and ''always'' be honest with them. Like say, if you're go into their domain intending to steal from them and are caught, fessing up is the best way to get out alive.

 

== Painting ==

* The former trope image, which depicts a scene from the [[English Civil War]], invokes this (though hopefully not playing it straight). A Royalist household (mother with her two daughters and her son) is questioned by Parlamentarian soldiers about the patriarch's whereabouts. The moment presented is the one where the young son of the family is asked "When did you last see your father?" (hence the title). It is in fact [[No Ending|never revealed]] whether he did the most sensible thing (to lie and to save his father's life) or actually Can Not Tell a Lie and, being [[Children Are Innocent|the very incarnation of innocence]] (he even is [[Color-Coded for Your Convenience]]), tell the truth and blow his father's cover. In the background, his two older two sisters and his mother can be seen anxiously sobbing, making this a [[Tear Jerker]] moment.

 

== Radio ==

* An episode of ''X! Minus! One!'' featured a reptilian "lawyer" whose race is incapable of lying (although they don't have to say the entire truth either). This is put to the test when a [[Jerkass]] character tries to get under another character's skin by mocking his home planet, who the latter keeps saying is the most beautiful place in the galaxy. The Jerkass gets the reptilian to admit the other character's planet has been ravaged by an asteroid shower and is hardly the paradise he thought it was, but to his shock the reptilian wholeheartedly agrees that the planet is the best place there is {{spoiler|because the planet is named after the reptilian's word for "home"}}.

** That's an adaptation of [[Gordon R. Dickson]]'s short story "Lulungomeena".

 

== Tabletop Games ==

There are no youkai who are more honest than the oni.|''Perfect Memento in Strict Sense'', Hieda no Akyu}}

** One of Reimu's [[Informed Ability|Informed Abilities]] is that she does not lie and will most likely respond to any question honestly.

 

== Web Comics ==

* Quantum Cop of ''[[Casey and Andy]]'' can't lie - although he eventually gains the ability in the final arc as [[Character Development]].

* Durkon, a Lawful Good dwarf in ''[[The Order of the Stick]]'', is unwilling to lie to lawful enforcers (and he has a low Charisma stat, which in D&D mechanics means that his Bluff roll would suck if he tried), but in jail he tells a [[Half Truth]] to protect his friends.

 

== Web Original ==

* ''[[SCP Foundation]]'': Victims of [http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-1082 SCP-1082] are not only unable (and unwilling) to lie—they won't even use euphemisms or non-literal language, and write and speak overly verbosely so as to leave absolutely no room for misunderstanding whatsoever.

 

== Western Animation ==

* Dr. Wily ''thinks'' that robots Cannot Tell A Lie in the animated ''[[Mega Man (animation)|Mega Man]]'' series. Rock proves him wrong.

* Mrs. Thompson from ''[[Codename: Kids Next Door]]''. Being unable to lie was a downside of the curse that made her the [[Our Werebeasts Are Different| Were-Dog Queen.]]

 

== Real Life ==

 

{{reflist}}

[[Category:Character Flaw Index]]

[[Category:Youngsters]]