on pages 89-90

Jonas is bothered by the rule that allows him to lie. From childhood, he has been taught to use language precisely and to never lie. Once as a Four, Jonas had indicated his hunger by saying "I'm starving," and he had been mildly scolded for using language incorrectly. He had not been starving; he had only been hungry. No one in the community starved, and he had spoken an "unintentional lie." Jonas is disturbed because he does not lie nor does anyone else around him like Asher, Lily, and his parents. Suddenly, however, Jonas has a thought that frightens him. "What if others--adults--had, upon becoming Twelves, received in their instructions the same terrifying sentence? What if they had all been instructed: You may lie?" Chapter 9, pg. 71 Jonas is confused and terrified by this idea.