Introduction
The way people communicate—both through their words and their body language—often reveals whether they are telling the truth or trying to deceive. When someone is truthful, they convey information in a straightforward, factual manner. In contrast, when someone is lying, they tend to overcompensate, trying to convince you rather than simply conveying the facts.

1. Truthful People Convey Information, Not Convince
People who are telling the truth are simply sharing what happened. They describe the event without embellishment: “It was 10:00, four people were there, and then this happened.” They don’t feel the need to over-explain or justify their actions because they are recalling from memory. Their story tends to be more grounded in facts and details, following a natural flow of events.

2. Liars Try to Convince, Not Convey
In contrast, people who are lying often feel the need to convince you of their story. They may use more persuasive language, repeat themselves, or emphasize certain points as if trying to force you to believe them. Instead of letting the story speak for itself, they make extra efforts to sound credible, which ironically can make them sound less believable.

3. The Stillness of Deception
When someone is being deceptive, they often become unusually still. This stillness comes from the mental effort required to create and sustain a false narrative. Since they’re using their imagination to fabricate details, they focus on their words rather than their body language. In contrast, truthful people often use gestures and natural body movements that align with their memory as they recount events.

4. The Unscripted Nature of Truth vs. Practiced Lies
Truthful individuals are building their story from memory, and as such, their gestures, tone, and body language all align naturally with what they are saying. On the other hand, liars may have rehearsed their words but not their body language. Since they cannot fully practice how their body should move to match the fabricated story, there is often a disconnect between what they say and how they act.

Conclusion: The Telltale Signs of Truth and Deception
When it comes to distinguishing truth from lies, it’s not just the words that matter but also the body language and the way information is conveyed. Truthful people are focused on sharing information, while deceptive individuals are often preoccupied with convincing you. The stillness, the disconnect between words and movements, and the unnatural emphasis on persuasion are all signs that someone may be lying. By understanding these subtle cues, you can better discern who is being truthful and who is being deceptive.