The speaker of "Lies" describes a painful split between what they show and what they feel. The opening line treats lies as armor: a sword to attack with and a shield to hide behind. Truth, by contrast, brings fear. The speaker admits they accept this and don't try to change it, and the short line "And cry" lands quietly but heavily, as if the tears are the only honest thing left.
The surprise comes in the second half. The speaker helps other people find the truth and tells it to them, yet calls their own way of doing so "stupid," which hints at low self-worth. The final line explains the ache: while they hand out honesty, their own feelings stay hidden. The mood is sad, tired and resigned. Short, plain lines make it feel like a confession, as though the speaker is saying something they rarely say out loud.