Several years ago, M. Scott Peck wrote a book entitled People of the Lie. In the book, he addressed the idea that many of us are uncomfortable with believing that evil exists, especially in our everyday lives. He included what I think is certainly one of the better breakdowns and explanations of evil behavior in humans that I have seen. When I am on social media, I frequently comment “evil” to describe behaviors that memes and posts describe. As I do that, Peck’s work is the framework that has most influenced my responses. I think he largely got it right.
He defines "people of the lie" as individuals who exhibit a persistent, willful commitment to deception—both to themselves and others—while avoiding personal responsibility for their actions. He describes them as morally corrupt individuals who refuse self-examination and project blame onto others to maintain an illusion of righteousness.
His breakdown of the nature of evil is particularly poignant today. Here are his traits.
1. Self-Deception & Denial
Politicians of the lie refuse to acknowledge their own wrongdoing and instead create distorted narratives to protect their image.
Example:
A senator is caught using campaign funds for personal vacations. Instead of admitting wrongdoing, he insists, “I was conducting important meetings overseas. This was all in service of my constituents.” He reframes his corruption as a duty, deceiving both himself and the public.
2. Projection of Evil
Rather than taking responsibility for their failures, they blame others, often accusing their opponents of the very corruption or misconduct they themselves are guilty of.
Example:
A governor ignores public health recommendations during a crisis, leading to widespread suffering. When questioned, he claims, “The real problem is the media spreading hysteria. They’re the ones endangering people.” He shifts blame away from his negligence onto others, demonizing the press in the process.
3. Lack of True Guilt or Remorse
Rather than feeling genuine guilt for unethical behavior, they either rationalize it, dismiss criticism as unfair, or paint themselves as the real victims.
Example:
A congresswoman is caught lying about her credentials. Instead of apologizing, she responds, “This is a witch hunt. They’re just attacking me because they can’t handle a strong leader.” She presents herself as the victim of unjust persecution, rather than acknowledging her deception.
4. Extreme Narcissism & Pride
They view themselves as superior, immune to accountability, and often react with anger or deflection when challenged.
Example:
A president refuses to accept responsibility for an economic downturn. When confronted, he boasts, “Nobody understands economics better than I do. If the economy is struggling, it’s because of the last administration, not me.” Instead of engaging with reality, he asserts his superiority while deflecting blame.
5. Destructive Influence
Their actions create dysfunction within government, media, and public discourse, often using manipulation to turn people against each other for their own gain.
Example:
A political leader frequently spreads conspiracy theories, claiming that elections are rigged against him despite a lack of evidence. His supporters, believing his lies, lose faith in democracy. His deception corrodes trust in institutions, causing long-term harm to the nation.
6. Resistance to Change
Unlike flawed individuals who recognize mistakes and seek to improve, people of the lie actively resist change and twist reality to justify their actions.
Example:
A senator repeatedly pushes policies that benefit wealthy donors while harming the general public. When faced with criticism, he declares, “I’m standing up for freedom! Anyone who disagrees is a socialist trying to destroy America.” He frames his self-serving actions as noble, shutting down any possibility of honest reflection or reform.
Peck’s People of the Lie suggests that such individuals are particularly dangerous in politics because they often present themselves as righteous leaders while engaging in profound deception. Their actions erode public trust, divide societies, and enable greater corruption under the guise of morality.
We have several leaders in the United States right now who exhibit all of these behaviors. The President is an obvious one. But we hae a VP, Speaker of the House, DOGE consultant and others who subborn these behaviors undermining the well being of the country and its citizens.
I think it is imperative that we really focus on ruling out people with these traits as we move forward in our political decisions. It isn’t a matter of party. Good governance requires integrity and removing the people of the lie.