The Quiet American Lies and Deceit Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Part.Chapter.Section.Paragraph)

Quote #4

I was to see many times that look of pain and disappointment touch his eyes and mouth when reality didn't match the romantic ideas he cherished, or when someone he loved or admired dropped below the impossible standard he had set. (2.1.53)

Pyle lives in a fantasy world, meaning he deceives himself. These lies to himself get him killed, particularly the lies he tells himself about Fowler. Fowler's not the kind, straight player Pyle takes him to be.

Quote #5

'If they win, you'll be reporting lies.'
'There's usually a way round, and I haven't noticed too much regard for truth in our papers either.' (2.2.2.61-2)

Fowler justifies his non-involvement noting that both sides in the war lie as a matter of course.

Quote #6

To be in love is to see yourself as someone else sees you, it is to be in love with a falsified and exalted image of yourself. (2.2.4.45)

Sounds like something French existentialist Jean-Paul Sartre might say. Does being in love mean living a lie? If so, is love itself absurd?