People · 1932
Even a liar can be scared into telling the truth, same as an honest man can be tortured into telling a lie.
— William Faulkner · Light in August
Behind the line May contain spoilers.
Our reading
An editorial interpretation.
This line explores how fear can distort truth in either direction, making an honest person crack under pressure into falsehood while a liar might blurt out something real when frightened enough. It suggests truthfulness is less a fixed trait than a fragile condition shaped by circumstance.
Context reviewed