Films — Live-Action
"I've never wanted anything more. But he’s gone and that’s the truth. And everything has a price. One I'm not willing to pay. Not anymore. This world was a beautiful place just as it was and you cannot have it all. You can only have the truth. And the truth is enough. The truth is beautiful. So look at this world and look at what your wish is costing it. You must be the hero. Only you can save the day. Renounce your wish if you want to save this world."
— Diana, Wonder Woman 1984
Live-Action TV
"I've already trod on dangerous ground. We're on dangerous ground right now, because of our secrets and our lies. They're practically what define us. When the truth offends, we - we lie and lie until we can no longer remember it is even there. But it is... still there. Every lie we tell incurs a debt to the truth. Sooner or later, that debt is paid. That is how...an RBMK reactor core explodes: Lies."
— Valery Legasov, Chernobyl
Capt. Picard: Come.
Wesley Crusher: Captain.
Picard: Can you tell me what maneuver this is? [plays a simulation of a dangerous-looking stunt involving five ships crossing each other's paths and creating a star-like pattern]
Wesley: ...it's a Kolvoord Starburst, sir.
Picard: Five ships crossing within ten metres of each other and igniting their plasma trails. It's one of the most spectacular and difficult demonstrations in precision flying. And it hasn't been performed at the Academy for over a hundred years. Do you know why?
Wesley: It was banned by the Academy following a training accident, sir.
Picard: An accident in which all five cadets lost their lives. I think that Nicholas Locarno wanted to end his Academy career in a blaze of glory. That he convinced the four of you to learn the Kolvoord Starburst for the commencement demonstration. If it worked, it would thrill the assembled guests, and Locarno would graduate as a living legend. Only it didn't work, and Joshua Albert paid the price. Am I correct?
Wesley: [says absolutely nothing]
Picard: Cadet, I asked you a question! Am I correct?!
Wesley: I choose not to answer, sir.
Picard: You choose not to answer?! But you've already given an answer to the inquiry. That answer was a lie!
Wesley: I said the accident occurred after the loop! It did!
Picard: What you neglected to mention was that following the loop, your team attempted a maneuver that was the direct cause of the crash. You told the truth up to a point. But a lie of omission is still a lie! Do you remember the day you first came aboard this ship? Your mother brought you on the Bridge.
Wesley: Yes.
Picard: You even sat in my chair! I was annoyed. A presumptuous child playing on my ship! But I never forgot how you already knew every control, every display. You behaved as though you belonged on the Bridge. And then later when I decided to make you an acting ensign, I was convinced you could be an outstanding officer. And I never questioned that conviction... until now. The first duty of every Starfleet officer is to the truth, whether it's scientific truth, or historical truth, or personal truth. It is the guiding principle upon which Starfleet is based. If you can't find it within yourself to stand up and tell the truth about what happened, you don't deserve to wear that uniform. I'm going to make this simple for you, Mister Crusher. Either you come forward and tell Admiral Brand what really took place, or I will.
Wesley: Captain...
Picard: Dismissed!
Wesley Crusher: Captain.
Picard: Can you tell me what maneuver this is? [plays a simulation of a dangerous-looking stunt involving five ships crossing each other's paths and creating a star-like pattern]
Wesley: ...it's a Kolvoord Starburst, sir.
Picard: Five ships crossing within ten metres of each other and igniting their plasma trails. It's one of the most spectacular and difficult demonstrations in precision flying. And it hasn't been performed at the Academy for over a hundred years. Do you know why?
Wesley: It was banned by the Academy following a training accident, sir.
Picard: An accident in which all five cadets lost their lives. I think that Nicholas Locarno wanted to end his Academy career in a blaze of glory. That he convinced the four of you to learn the Kolvoord Starburst for the commencement demonstration. If it worked, it would thrill the assembled guests, and Locarno would graduate as a living legend. Only it didn't work, and Joshua Albert paid the price. Am I correct?
Wesley: [says absolutely nothing]
Picard: Cadet, I asked you a question! Am I correct?!
Wesley: I choose not to answer, sir.
Picard: You choose not to answer?! But you've already given an answer to the inquiry. That answer was a lie!
Wesley: I said the accident occurred after the loop! It did!
Picard: What you neglected to mention was that following the loop, your team attempted a maneuver that was the direct cause of the crash. You told the truth up to a point. But a lie of omission is still a lie! Do you remember the day you first came aboard this ship? Your mother brought you on the Bridge.
Wesley: Yes.
Picard: You even sat in my chair! I was annoyed. A presumptuous child playing on my ship! But I never forgot how you already knew every control, every display. You behaved as though you belonged on the Bridge. And then later when I decided to make you an acting ensign, I was convinced you could be an outstanding officer. And I never questioned that conviction... until now. The first duty of every Starfleet officer is to the truth, whether it's scientific truth, or historical truth, or personal truth. It is the guiding principle upon which Starfleet is based. If you can't find it within yourself to stand up and tell the truth about what happened, you don't deserve to wear that uniform. I'm going to make this simple for you, Mister Crusher. Either you come forward and tell Admiral Brand what really took place, or I will.
Wesley: Captain...
Picard: Dismissed!
Why, why, why?! Why did you lie?! We like you better when you tell the truth!
— Yo Gabba Gabba!, "Tell The Truth"
Western Animation
Hilda: Sorry I'm a bit late.
Johanna: Oh, that's okay. How are you?
Hilda: I'm alright.
Johanna: [taps her fork on her plate] Find anything interesting?
Hilda: Hm?
Johanna: During the beach cleanup? Any interesting finds?
Hilda: Oh, just the usual litter and stuff. [Tontu leaves] Oh, but David did find a shell shaped like his own face.
Johanna: [sighs] I told myself "she comes in here and she just tells the truth."
Hilda: Mum?
Johanna: I called Raven Leader. There was no Scout activity today.
Hilda: Okay, but—
Johanna: But nothing!
Hilda: If you could let me explain—
Johanna: —that you lied to me and then disappeared while there's a sea monster attacking the harbour?! I was worried sick!
Hilda: [notices the news report about the kraken] Mum, you don't understand! I had to—!
Johanna: You don't "have" to do anything! You Are Grounded!
Hilda: What?!
Johanna: And you're not leaving this house without me until I say so!
Johanna: Oh, that's okay. How are you?
Hilda: I'm alright.
Johanna: [taps her fork on her plate] Find anything interesting?
Hilda: Hm?
Johanna: During the beach cleanup? Any interesting finds?
Hilda: Oh, just the usual litter and stuff. [Tontu leaves] Oh, but David did find a shell shaped like his own face.
Johanna: [sighs] I told myself "she comes in here and she just tells the truth."
Hilda: Mum?
Johanna: I called Raven Leader. There was no Scout activity today.
Hilda: Okay, but—
Johanna: But nothing!
Hilda: If you could let me explain—
Johanna: —that you lied to me and then disappeared while there's a sea monster attacking the harbour?! I was worried sick!
Hilda: [notices the news report about the kraken] Mum, you don't understand! I had to—!
Johanna: You don't "have" to do anything! You Are Grounded!
Hilda: What?!
Johanna: And you're not leaving this house without me until I say so!
— Hilda, "The Beast of Cauldron Island"
"Don't lie! Don't lie! Don't ya blame it on the other guy! Don't lie! Don't lie! Don't ya blame it on the other guy. When you do something wrong, don't blame your friend; the truth will come out in the end."
— Wow! Wow! Wubbzy!, "Don't Lie"
Real Life
"If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything."
