Rebel of the Sands discussion

Djinni can't lie. So when one attempts to say something that is not the truth they are physically unable to do so.

Example: One is waiting for her brother to return. If she tries to say "He is on his way" but he's really not, so she's unable to say it. She tries to everyday and when she is finally able to say it it means he really is on his way home. Seems simple enough and is a totally acceptable practice.

Now, take another Djinni and he says, "You will marry my sister." But in this case everyone freaks out because he is trying to bend reality to his will. How does that make sense? If it weren't true, then he wouldn't physically be able to say it (see above example), but now apparently there's a caveat that states if you say something like this it could have unforeseen repercussions. DON'T DO IT!

I don't see the difference here. Can anyone enlighten me?

Since Djinnis have many sisters and brothers, a Djinn is likely to marry another Djinn. So, one can say that because in someway it will happen, since he has many sisters. It's a misleading thruth. It will happen, but you don't know who or when.

It's simple! You did the answer and didn't noticed. If a Djinni say something in the present, and can do it, than it's not a lie. But if this character try to predict future, saying something about the future (like, someone WILL...), than this person is trying to bend reality. It's pretty simple if you try to think about present and future.

I get the distinction between the "is" and the "will", one being a statement and the other more of a command, buuuuut if the Djinni are unable to lie, then it shouldn't matter either way. If it's not the truth, they just can't say it. So if they actually can say something, that means it's a true statement. They can wake up every day and try to say "You will marry my sister" but until that person agrees to marry, it won't be true making it impossible for the Djinni to say. Saying every day that my brother is on the way home is also, in a sense, a statement meant to bend reality. What if he was never meant to make it home? Waking up every day with the repetitive "my brother is on the way home" is basically a mantra for a person who is willing that to be true. I just think anything having to do with another person's actions should be fitted into the the same category.

Intent might also be a factor. Bending the future is a different intent than wishing someone home safely?

I think when they say something about the future, because it isn't currently in progress, it has to become true because they can't lie. But the way in which it becomes true can be twisted, which is why it is dangerous.