An Academy for Liars

by Alexis Henderson

“There will always be someone who will use the power they have to hurt those who don’t deserve it. That’s why it’s important that people like you become competent enough to stand between them and those they’d otherwise harm. To let your scruples get in the way of that vital work is cowardice.

Lennon had been crying about her life and all of the things that had gone wrong with it, and Carly had been silent on the line for some time. But she would never forget the way her sister’s voice sounded when—ten minutes into the call—she finally spoke in a strained monotone: “You’re self-absorbed and annoying and at some point, you’ll have to accept the fact that at the center of all of your many problems is you. And making those problems everyone else’s problem isn’t the same as actually dealing with your shit.”

you give people two options. They can either respect you or fear you. But don’t let anyone make you question yourself.