How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
I'm not bragging when I say that I'm one of the best liars in the world but I got to tell you, Todd was pretty doggone good. It seemed like he knew some of the things I know, the things I think of all the time and try to remember so I don't make the same mistake more than seven or eight times. (2.14)
We're not bragging when we say that we have a few tricks up our sleeves, but we still think that Bud has a great list of life lessons going on in his head. Yes, many of them have to do with lying, especially to adults, in order to save his hide or get what he needs, but we don't hold it against him.
Quote #2
But I can't blame Todd for lying like that, having someone who likes you so much that they think everything you say is the truth has got to be a liars paradise, that might feel so good it could make you want to quit lying. But maybe not, 'cause Todd hadn't quit lying since the second I came to his house. (2.17)
Aww, isn't it thoughtful of Bud to be so understanding toward a big, mean bully? Well, we think Bud shows some real character when he thinks through what it might take to stop lying. Either way, Bud comes off a pretty thoughtful kid here, and he's definitely thinking way more about important things that Todd is.
Quote #3
He said, "But nothing. Line's closed. These here folks are the last ones."
It was time to start lying. If I didn't get any food now I'd have to steal something out of someone's garbage or I wouldn't be able to eat until the mission opened for supper. (6.6-7)
Even though it doesn't work out for Bud, he sure is resourceful. Do you think Bud is right to want to lie to get some food? Or is it a bad idea since he almost gets beaten with a leather strap? And, by the way, what kind of a choice is that for a little kid to have to make?
Quote #4
I got ready to say, "My name's not Clarence and please don't choke me, sir, I'll leave," but as soon as I opened my mouth he gave my head a shake and said, "I told you to hurry back, now where you been?" He gave me a shove and said, "Get back in line with your momma." (6.18)
So Bud's plan to lie didn't pan out, but his fake daddy's sure did. It sure seems like deceit was one tool many people had to use during such a hard time. We certainly don't blame that guy for helping Bud out. Maybe Bud's got the right idea, after all.
Quote #5
Bugs said, "One of us has got to talk to them, let's flip for it." "OK." […] "Heads I win, tails you lose." "OK." […] Bugs said, "Tails. You lose." "Dang! So what should I say?"
Bud's new buddy Bugs is just as much of a liar as Bud is. Besides rigging the game in his favor (Bud will lose no matter what the penny says), he also doesn't even show Bud the outcome. Shmoopsters: that is no way to play a game.
Quote #6
"My mother died four years ago."
"Sorry to hear that."
"It's OK, she didn't suffer or nothing."
[…]
Deza said, "No it's not, and you should quit pretending that it is."
We aren't lying when we say that Deza is an awesome friend to Bud. She is no one's fool, and she expects people to be upfront and honest, just like she is. Will she help Bud get real with himself? Why is she able to be so honest when Bud and others have to lie to get anywhere?
Quote #7
When I took the cities book back the librarian was still smiling. She said, "I'll bet you've been dying to know what your surprise is, haven't you?"
I lied. "Yes, Ma'am." (9.18)
Sometimes Bud lies to be polite. Huh? How could it be polite to lie? Well, he figures it would hurt the librarian's feelings if he wasn't super excited about her surprise. Is that a different kind of lie, or are all lies kind of bad?
Quote #8
The man said, "Where's home, Bud?" Then another jolt of red pop must've pumped through my heart because my brain came up with a perfect lie. "I ran away from Grand Rapids, sir." See how perfect the lie was? Maybe this guy would feel sorry for me and put me on a bus to Grand Rapids and I wouldn't have to do any more doggone walking. (10.68-71)
One thing that Bud, Not Buddy shows is that life for a kid on the run is scary and that to survive, you have to have wits. Bud's plan to trick this guy into taking him where he wants to go is brilliant. Is Bud right to do it?
Quote #9
I had to stop and think, it's one thing to lie to a grown-up, most times adults want to hear something that lets them take their attention off you and put it on something else. That makes it easy and not too bad to lie to them. You're really just giving them what they want. (11.124)
Hmmm, this comment is so mature and wise and kind of sad (for adults) that we don't know what to think about it. Is it true? Do adults want to be lied to so they don't have to deal with problems? Why does Bud think that?
Quote #10
Whew! Even though it was me who'd carried them around for all these years, you'd have to be a pretty big liar if you'd say those rocks and flyers belonged to me. (19.150)
Finally, Bud finds a reason not to lie. He even takes pride in being honest here. Once he is safe, home, and surrounded by his new family, he doesn't feel the need to be a "pretty big liar" any more. Maybe what the book is saying is that while lying is bad, if conditions in society are bad enough, you just have to do it to survive. But it would be a lot better if the big problems could be solved so that no one would have to lie in the first place.